Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Military Pensions Board (MPB) on Wednesday promised that the 24 months minimum wage pension arrears will be cleared once the year 2022 budget is passed and assented to by Mr President.
The Board stated this in reaction to Wednesday morning protests by members of some military veteran groups.
The MFB in a press release signed by the Chairman, Commodore S. A. Lawal, urged the pensioners to desist from any further agitation as their demands are being addressed by relevant government agencies.
According to the Chairman, “Our esteemed military retirees would recall that in May 2021 the MPB notified them through a press release of my discussions with the Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning (FMFBNP) with regards to payment of all outstanding entitlements of military retirees as a result of the consequential adjustments on pensions occasioned by the New Minimum Wage Act, 2019.
“My engagements with the Ministry paid off in June 2021 as funds were released to the Board for payment of shortfalls in gratuities of military retirees who retired/discharged from the Services between 18 April 2019 and 30 April 2021 as well as the implementation of the new pensions pay chart.
“Consequently, the shortfall in gratuities to deserving retired/discharged personnel were paid in July 2021, while all active retirees were placed on their new pension pay scale WEF May 2021 as directed by the President and Commander -in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“It is in this light that I wish to inform our esteemed retirees that the funds for payment of the 24 months minimum wage pension arrears to military pensioners is included in the Board’s year 2022 budget estimates, currently under consideration at the National Assembly.
“Furthermore, I am also pleased to inform our esteemed retirees that the Board’s year 2022 budget estimates have been successfully defended before relevant committees of the National Assembly.
“Therefore, I would like to seize this opportunity to inform and assure all our esteemed pensioners that once the year 2022 budget is passed and assented to by Mr President, payments of the outstanding 24 months minimum wage pension arrears will commence.
“In view of these developments, the MPB wishes to assure our valued military retirees, NOKs and other well-meaning Nigerians that the Board remains resolute and will sustain the prompt payment of all entitlements due to military retirees or their NOKs.
“Our retirees are please urged to continue to show greater understanding and patience and not to embark on any form of public protests or demonstrations as the issues at stake are receiving due attention.
“Additionally, in the face of the current security situation in the country and the spread of a new variant of COVID-19 Virus, gatherings of any sort in the name of protests of any kind should be discouraged by military pensioners and other stakeholders in the administration of military pensions.”
