Aggrieved pensioners from the defunct NEPA/PHCN under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) have expressed growing frustration over unpaid arrears and alleged illegal deductions, threatening to join the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) nationwide protest scheduled to commence on April 22, 2025.
The retirees, who are elderly and financially vulnerable, told our correspondent that they have endured prolonged delays in receiving their entitlements despite assurances from the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).
Investigations showed that the pensioners’ grievances include, among others, the delayed implementation of a ₦32,000 pension increment approved by the Federal Government in 2024.
It was equally gathered that PTAD had promised to implement the increase but has not done so.
Our correspondent gathered that many pensioners are still waiting for their arrears as of April.
The situation has left many of them struggling to meet basic needs, with some describing their ordeal as “unbearable.”
It was also gathered that many of the pensioners are dissatisfied with PTAD’s handling of their benefits.
This, according to them, has been marred by inefficiencies and a lack of transparency.
The pensioners who spoke to our correspondent criticized the delays and called for immediate action to ensure retirees receive their rightful payments.
“We have served this country diligently. It is heartbreaking that we now have to fight for what is rightfully ours,” one pensioner lamented.
Some of the pensioners further accused PTAD of the following:
Removal of Electricity Rebates from the pension since 2012 to date.
Non-implementation of 33% pension rates increase with false claims of ineligibility of NEPA/PHCN Pensioners.
Arbitrary reduction of pensions since June 2023 on false claims of overpayment.
Failure to pay the difference for those said to have been short paid since June 2023.
Failure to pay the 42% difference in gratuity and monthly for year 2000 retirees (over 24 years now).
Non payment of arrears of 10 years of Harmonization of pension (2003-2013).
Failure to disburse all collected funds from the Ministry of Finance as allocated in the 2017-2020 approved budgets.
“As it is now, many of us view participation in the FWF protests as a way to pressure PTAD and relevant government agencies into addressing our concerns,” one retiree stated.