By Dwelleth Morountodun
The presidency on Friday said that retirees, under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS),
have written to President Muhammadu Buhari, applauding his administration as the best they have seen in 14 years of the pension scheme.
In a statement signed by Mr. Femi Adesina, which was made available to the media, said the union in a letter dated December 10, 2018, signed by its Comrade Sylva C.Nwaiwu, the said they were registering their “unanimous acknowledgement and commendation of the good performance” of the administration in the contributory pension scheme sector in particular, and Nigerian pension industry in general.
The union said the consensus was reached during the union’s 3rd Post-inaugural Congress/Interactive session with the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) held last month in Maitama, Abuja.
Distancing itself from partisan politicking, NUPCPS said the union was made of “elder statesmen and women who must stand for the truth, no matter whose ox is gored,” adding: “We owe no one any apology for expressing the truth we know about the good works of your administration.”
The union said further: “Your administration inherited huge pension liabilities as a result of the excesses and recklessness of the previous administration which mismanaged pension funds meant for the payment of retirement benefits…Nevertheless, your contribution in just few years in office is one of the best we have seen in the 14 years of the existence of the contributory pension scheme in our nation.
“Your insight, determination, political will and commitment as demonstrated in the release of bailout funds to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerian workers/pensioners is un-equalled and highly appreciated by the union and other stakeholders.”
The union also urged Buhari to “complete the good work you have started” by authorizing additional bailout to clear the outstanding backlog from last year.