N500B provision, new lease on life for pensioners -BMO

A budgetary provision of N536.7 billion in the 2020 national appropriation bill, now before the National Assembly, to cater for the payment of gratuities and monthly pensions of retired federal public servants is a humanitarian gesture of immense proportions. 

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) described the proposal as a right step in the right direction, aimed at lifting more Nigerians out of poverty.

According to the group, this is another step in providing governance with a human face and to lift more Nigerians out of poverty.

It also noted the provision of N16.567 billion and N48.8 billion to take care of ex-workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways who were denied their gratuities, and for the pension office of the head of the civil service of the federation respectively.

In a statement signed by Niyi Akinsiju and Casssidy Madueke, its Chairman and Secretary respectively, BMO expressed the hope that the National Assembly would consider the proposal speedily and in good faith as it has the capacity to improve the living conditions of retirees who had spent their most useful years in the service of the country.

“President Buhari has once more shown his magnanimity, love and affection for workers.  This is the first time such huge provisions are captured in the country’s national budget. 

“This conscious, singular act and several others since President Buhari came on board in 2015, had put a stop to retirees protesting or waiting on queues endlessly to get what was ordinarily due to them”.

The group said it is regrettable the manner and way in which retirees were abandoned by previous governments during the most trying times of their lives thereby making them very vulnerable.

“We note with appreciation the capacity of the President to clear all backlog of pensions and gratuities for all retired federal workers in the country. This, he has again demonstrated by directing the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD to conduct verification of workers in some privatised government enterprises and other retirees with a backlog of pensions with a view to paying them off in earnest.

“It is never in doubt that President Buhari has been consistent with his sympathetic and friendly stand with Nigerian public servants since his military days,” BMO added.