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Hails Tinubu’s commitment to pensioners’ welfare The Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN) has called on the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to strictly uphold the Federal Government’s directives on jurisdictional boundaries between pension unions, even as it rejected the agency’s 90-day extension for implementing check-off dues remittance rightful FEPPPAN. Rising from its 5th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, the Association urged the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Federal Ministry of Justice to urgently intervene in ensuring PTAD’s compliance with all relevant labour and pension administration laws. The NEC, chaired by its President-General, Elder Benjamin Maisamari Amako (JP), was attended by the Registrar of Trade Unions (representing the Labour Minister), representatives of the PTAD Executive Secretary, and leaders from FEPPPAN’s sectoral units across the country. In a communiqué signed by Elder Amako and the General Secretary, Mr. Franklin Erinle, FEPPPAN accused PTAD of administrative bias and financial irregularities in the management of pensioners’ check-off dues. “The persistent diversion of check-off dues deducted from FEPPPAN members to another union is a deliberate act of bias, injustice, and administrative sabotage,” the communiqué declared, stressing that such actions “violate the rights of pensioners and undermine the sanctity of pension administration.” Describing the 90-day delay imposed by PTAD as “unlawful and inconsistent with existing labour laws,” FEPPPAN insisted that deductions made from pensioners’ entitlements must be remitted promptly and directly to the duly recognized union as provided by law. “FEPPPAN does not seek favour or privilege, but demands what rightfully belongs to it under the law,” the communiqué stated emphatically, adding that “Enough is enough, PTAD must end this discriminatory practice forthwith.” The association further reaffirmed its recognition by the Registrar of Trade Unions, who at the meeting commended FEPPPAN as “the most peaceful trade union of elderly citizens” in the country, an acknowledgment the NEC said underscored its reputation for dialogue, order, and lawful advocacy. Amid its strong words for PTAD, FEPPPAN also extended commendation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as his “unwavering commitment to the welfare of pensioners and other vulnerable citizens.” The Association particularly lauded the President for approving a N25,000 monthly palliative for pensioners to cushion the effects of the harsh economic situation. However, it expressed concern that the three-month payment “since approved by Mr. President has not been paid.” “We urge President Tinubu to, without further delay, release funds for the payment of the outstanding three months’ N25,000 palliative to all eligible pensioners across the country,” the communiqué stated, while also appealing to the President to direct the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to include pensioners from seven defunct parastatals: PHCN, NITEL/MTEL, Peoples Bank, Assurance Bank, NICON Insurance, Nigeria Insurance, and Petroleum Institutes who were wrongly excluded from the N32,000 pension increase. While appreciating the Federal Government for implementing the long-awaited N32,000 pension increment, FEPPPAN lamented the non-payment of arrears arising from the increment and demanded the immediate release of funds to settle outstanding balances. It also called on PTAD to refund “all monies unjustly deducted from FEPPPAN members’ arrears during back-end computations,” describing the deductions as “unfair, without justification, and contrary to government guidelines.” Another major concern raised by the Association was the delay in settling entitlements of Next-of-Kin (NOK) of deceased pensioners. The communiqué decried PTAD’s inability to clear pending NOK cases despite beneficiaries having submitted all required documentation. “The delay is insensitive, unjustifiable, and inhumane to families already grieving their loved ones,” it said. In a strong appeal for transparency, FEPPPAN called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate PTAD’s handling of pensioners’ check-off dues and other related financial activities. The Association maintained that accountability must be upheld in the management of pensioners’ funds. Amidst the tension over PTAD’s administrative actions, the NEC passed a unanimous vote of confidence on Elder Benjamin Amako and his national leadership team for “unprecedented achievements in just one year of stewardship.” The NEC praised their “prudence, integrity, and dedication” in strengthening FEPPPAN’s institutional capacity and defending the rights of pensioners nationwide. The communiqué closed with a reaffirmation of FEPPPAN’s dedication to peace, dialogue, and justice within the ambit of the law. “We remain calm, united, and resolute,” the statement read. “Our struggle is not for privilege, but for dignity and fairness to all pensioners who have served Nigeria faithfully.”
