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Pension Funds: The Untold Story

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The sharp disagreement in Enugu state now over the pension scheme funds has raised fundamental issues as to the exact percentage of a civil servant’s salary that should be deducted to fund the national contributory pension scheme.

In a bill to the state House of Assembly for the implementation of the scheme, the state government wants a 50/50 contribution with the government, a proposal that has kicked up dust among the stakeholders, especially labour unions.

Commenting on the matter during a public debate on the bill, Chudi Onah, representing the Trade Union Congress, said his union would not want the bill to be passed as presently constituted where the workers are to pay 50/50 pensions contributions with the state government, and insisted that government should pay 18% and workers five per cent.

In the past, an average retired civil servant literally wailed over the non-payment of his pension and gratuities. There were confirmed reports that some retired workers even died before their entitlements could be paid.

Apparently worried by public outcry, the Olusegun Obasanjo administration established the National Pension Commission (PENCO), with an Act by the erstwhile National Assembly, in order to give legal teeth to the commission. This was greeted with applause by the general public, especially the retirees.

Indeed, the contributions of Nigerian workers and employers to the contributory pension scheme now stand at over N84 billion, according to Dr Kabir Ahmed, Director-General of the pension commission.

Delivering a lecture entitled “Poverty Reduction, Social Security and Pensions Reform in Nigeria,” Dr Ahmed said the figure was the accumulated contributions as at now, and expressed happiness that with the pension scheme, the country has been able to build a pool of long-term financial resources.

Said he: “Pension funds play a key role in mobilising long-term funds which have contributed significantly in providing the base for capital formation investment that could spur economic growth in Nigeria,” He, however, noted that the resources (funds) so far mobilised were still in search of attractive investment opportunities.

But it is rather unfortunate that some states (such as Enugu) are yet to implement the pension scheme in spite of the awareness campaigns mounted by the federal authorities, thus hanging the fate of their retired staff in the balance.

This is said, to say the least! Worse still, a section of the private sector had also reportedly refused to implement the National Pension Scheme, for some inexplicable reasons, an attitude that is giving concern to the authorities of the commission, in view of the anticipated plights of the retired staff of such firms.

It is, therefore, imperative to ask the federal government to wade into the issue and prevail on such defaulting state governments and firms to implement the pension scheme, in order to lay a good foundation for their retired staff.

Agreed, there had been fears over the ‘safety’ of the funds so far contributed to the scheme. But the provisions of the Pension Act, squarely allay such fears, especially the various levels of risk involved in the management of the contributed funds.

Again, the federal authorities should rise to the occasion and direct some of the contributors (state governments) to remit promptly, their contributions to the contributory pension scheme. That way, the future of the retired staff would be assured.

Suffice it to say that one such way to implement the National Pension Scheme is for the National Assembly to step into the matter. This, it could do, by directing the committee concerned to work with the management of the National Pensions Commission.

That way, the committee would be able to identify the defaulting state governments, as well as a section of the private sector, and thereafter, roll out sanctions against such recalcitrant states and firms.

The future of the Nigerian retired worker must be protected and assured, no matter whose ox is gored. Yes, time has come when a retired worker should smile home rather than cry home. The contributions by employers of labour to the pension scheme, appears to be the only sure way.

All said, but when shall we stop to weep for the nation’s retirees for not getting their entitlements years after retirement from active service. Their plight must end one day!

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NAFDAC Alerts Nigerians To EU Ban On Dex Soap

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The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has alerted Nigerians on the ban on Dex Luxury Bar Soap (No 6 Mystic Flower), by the European Union (EU).
The notification is contained in a public alert with No. 012/2024, signed by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, and issued to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
“The product does not comply with the cosmetic products regulation; it also contains Butyphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA), which is prohibited in cosmetic products due to its risk of harming the reproductive system.
“It also causes harm to the health of unborn children and may cause skin sensitisation.
“It is as a result of the defective nature of the product that the EU banned it.
“The products is not in NAFDAC database; importers, distributors, retailers and consumers are to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain,” she said.
NAFDAC boss urged marketers and consumers to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the product, stressing that product’s authenticity and physical condition must be carefully checked.
She enjoined members of the public in possession of the product to discontinue sale or use, and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

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Communities, Volunteers Ready To Face Upcoming Floods – Red Cross

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The Country Manager of the British Red Cross in Nigeria, Karsten Voigt, says communities and volunteers are ready to face the challenges expected with the upcoming floods.
Voigt said this at the sidelines of the 56th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Lagos Branch.
The Tide’s source recalls that the British Red Cross donated resilience items to some communities in December 2023, to help mitigate the effects of flooding.
The items included cash, rain boots, rain coats, mosquito nets, handheld flashlights, solar powered lights with radio, USB chargers and a bridge to link the communities.
The communities that benefited included Agboyi 1, Agboyi 2, Agboyi 3 and Odo Ogun in Kosofe Local Government Area of the state.
Voigt said the Red Cross had measured the impact of the project in the communities and noticed that a lot of progress had been made.
According to him, apart from the cash and items given to the communities, simulation exercises have also been carried out to prepare the volunteers ahead of the floods.
“We have seen that people used the cash to address immediate needs they have after floods.
“Many households have used part of the cash to build up businesses.
“The solutions we have given to them are not only addressing their immediate needs after the disaster but actually building family income for their future,” he said.

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Nimet Forecasts Three-Day Sunshine, Thunderstorms

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and thunderstorm from Monday to Wednesday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released yesterday in Abuja, forecasts sunny skies on Monday with a few patches of cloud over the northern cities and prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba later in the day.
According to the forecast, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the North Central region with prospects of morning thunderstorm over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi and Kwara States.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi and Benue States.
“The southern region is expected to be cloudy with spells of sunshine with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos States.
“ In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Ekiti, Ogun, Imo, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Lagos and Bayelsa States,” it said.
NiMet also anticipated sunny skies on Tuesday with few patches of cloud over the northern states with prospects of isolated thunderstorms envisaged over parts of Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba and Kaduna States during the afternoon and evening hours.
It envisaged the North Central region to be sunny with patches of cloud during the morning hours.
The agency also envisaged isolated thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Kwara and Niger States, later in the day.
“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South, with chances of morning thunderstorm over parts of Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
“In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers and Bayelsa States ,” it said.
It predicted a sunny atmosphere on Wednesday, with patches of cloud over the northern region, during the forecast period.
“Sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the North Central region with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Plateau, Kogi, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory and Benue States, during the afternoon/evening periods.
“ Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia.”
Other states to experience cloudy atmosphere, are “Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States, later in the day.”
NiMet urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede rains in areas where thunderstorms were likely to occur.
The agency also urged airline operators to get updated weather reports and forecasts from its office for effective planning in their operations.

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