292
By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has ordered retired soldiers protesting at the Federal Ministry of Finance over unpaid entitlements to leave the premises, warning that their continued demonstration is obstructing government activities.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, said the agitation was tied to the introduction of two separate salary structures for military personnel in 2024, following the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Kangye explained: “Before the implementation of the new minimum wage, there was a chart on which gratuity and security debarment allowance for soldiers was calculated, and later, the minimum wage chart. Essentially, there were two charts in 2024.
“The first, known as the pre-minimum wage chart, was effective from January 1, 2024, to July 28, 2024. I repeat: January 1, 2024, to July 28, 2024. This was the chart used to calculate the emoluments of retired soldiers and other military personnel.
“The second was the minimum wage chart, which took effect from July 29, 2024, and remains applicable to date.
“Now, the calculation of gratuity and security debarment allowance for military personnel is based on the salary chart in effect on the date of retirement. If a soldier retires today, his entitlements will be calculated using the current chart. If another chart is introduced tomorrow, the same soldier’s entitlements will not be recalculated based on the new chart.”
According to him, the protesting veterans retired between January 1 and July 28, 2024, and are demanding that their benefits be recalculated using the new minimum wage chart, which was not yet in force at the time of their retirement.
“Unfortunately, the soldiers who retired before July 29, 2024, want their gratuity and allowances calculated based on the new chart. This cannot be done because the policy only came into effect on July 29.
“Those who fall within the pre-minimum wage chart category are the soldiers who have continued to protest and block access to the Federal Ministry of Finance, despite repeated explanations from the Defence Headquarters,” Kangye said.
The Defence Headquarters insisted the veterans had been adequately briefed on the matter but continued to obstruct operations at the Finance Ministry.
“The actions of these protesting soldiers are seriously affecting the smooth conduct of activities at the Ministry of Finance.
“While the Defence Headquarters acknowledges the right to legitimate protest, the veterans are strongly advised to tread with caution and vacate the premises of the Federal Ministry of Finance to allow government functions to continue seamlessly.
“Let me reaffirm that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to their constitutional mandate of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation, supporting civil authorities in maintaining internal security, and ensuring peace and stability across all regions,” he added.
The retirees had earlier suspended their protests on August 4 after meeting with officials of the Defence and Finance ministries, who promised that their entitlements would be paid by August 10. However, they resumed their demonstrations after the government failed to meet the deadline, insisting the promises made to them were not honoured.