FG Sets Up Panel On Pensioners’ Complaints

Federal Government has inaugurated a 25-member Federal Civil Service Pension Complaints Resolution Committee to address various complaints of pensioners.

Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Aji, at the inauguration, said pension administration in the country had witnessed a tumultuous time.

Aji said the office in November had assumed the responsibility for direct monthly pension payments, which had progressed, but with difficulties.

He said, “There have been various complaints from pensioners in the process, which includes omission of pensioners’ names from the payroll, non-payment of gratuity and death benefits.

“Others are harmonisation of six per cent and 15 per cent for some pensioners, short, payment and irregular payment of pension.

“The complaints also include the payment of long standing arrears for both federal and state pensioners with federal share and non-enrolment for monthly pension, among others.

“I wish to reassure all pensioners and the nation that under my watch, we will run an open and transparent system.

“It is in the realisation of this objective, that I have constituted this committee to look into complaints and bring succour to senior citizens in the country.’’

Aji said the mandate of the committee was to address the various complaints of the Federal Civil Service Pensioners of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

He said the committee would as well address the complaints by state pensioners with federal share.

He said the committee was to submit its report within three months.

He solicited the cooperation of complainants to enable the committee to meet its deadline.