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By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently resolve the lingering issues affecting pensioners, particularly the delay in implementing pension increments and the non-disbursement of government-approved palliatives.
The resolution followed a motion presented at Wednesday’s plenary by the Deputy Majority Whip, Hon. Ayokunle Isiaka, who sought the intervention of the House on behalf of suffering pensioners across the country.
Leading the debate, Hon. Isiaka praised the significant role retirees have played in the nation’s development, lamenting their current plight amidst harsh economic realities.
He reminded the House that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, in October 2023, approved a N25,000 wage award as a palliative and an additional N32,000 pension increase for federal retirees.
“The House is deeply concerned that despite these approvals, many pensioners are yet to receive the promised increments or palliatives meant to cushion the economic challenges they face,” he said.
Isiaka stressed that the continued delay has left many pensioners struggling with poor living conditions, deteriorating health, and a lack of access to basic needs.
Citing constitutional provisions that uphold social justice and mandate the State to ensure citizens’ welfare, the lawmaker argued that the government’s inaction contradicts these obligations and threatens social harmony.
He also noted that numerous complaints and appeals from pensioners and their associations have been ignored, thereby deepening the frustration and hardship among senior citizens.
The House, therefore, urged the Federal Government, through the Ministries of Finance and Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the Accountant General, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), and other relevant bodies, to immediately implement the approved pension increases and release all withheld palliatives.
Furthermore, lawmakers tasked the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the National Pension Commission (PenCom), and other stakeholders to carry out a full audit of pension payments to promote transparency and accountability in the process.
They also advocated for the creation of a special Task Force to oversee the enforcement of pension-related policies and address retirees’ grievances without delay.
In a broader call, the House appealed to State Governments to align with federal efforts by prioritizing timely pension payments and welfare initiatives for their own retirees.
The House also encouraged the Nigerian Pensioners’ Association and other advocacy groups to engage actively with government institutions in monitoring and protecting the rights of pensioners.
To ensure legislative follow-up, the House mandated its Committees on Finance, Pensions, Labour & Employment, Humanitarian Services, and Legislative Compliance to conduct a joint oversight on the matter.