FG REITERATES COMMITMENT TO WORKERS WELFARE

FG REITERATES COMMITMENT TO WORKERS WELFARE

The Federal Government, through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), has reiterated its commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers.

According to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, this commitment was demonstrated with the approval given by President Muhammadu Buhari for the payment of outstanding pension liabilities to retired workers of the Federal Government treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

She disclosed this at a townhall meeting on ''Effective Pension Administration in the Public Service" held on Thursday, 29 July 2021 in Abuja.

The townhall meeting was part of the measures instituted by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to address concerns and receive contributions from critical stakeholders on challenges militating against effective implementation of both Contributory Pension Scheme and the Defined Benefits Scheme so as to promote a seamless pension administration for all serving and retired officers.

Dr Yemi-Esan informed the meeting that, as part of improved welfare for workers, the Federal Government through the OHCSF has provided group life assurance cover for Federal government employees in 48 MDAs for the year 2021/2022 via Federal Executive Council approval of a total sum of N9,248,995,907.31 as premium to be handled by 15 underwriters. She added that the sum of N2.5billion was also released to pay backlog of death benefits to next of kin of deceased officers out of which N2.4billion had been paid by the Office to 594 beneficiaries while the balance would be paid to other beneficiaries once the Office receives the requisite banks' attestation.

She opined that the present administration through her Office has also initiated several schemes to boost the welfare of Civil Servants service wide, particularly towards empowering officers before retirement. Some of the initiatives include the Federal Public Service entrepreneurship programme which is two phased: Agripreneurship start-up scheme (for serving officers) and Business start-up scheme (for prospective retirees).

She added that despite the achievements recorded by the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) and Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), there were still problems that needed to be sorted out.   In order to support retirees in resolving some of these challenges and complaints concerning pension administration, she said her Office established a Standing Committee on pension matters comprising the OHCSF, PENCOM and PTAD to provide opportunity for critical stakeholders to meet and proffer solutions to some of the complex issues.

She also said that based on various submissions received from some unions on the challenges in the implementation of the pension reform Act, the OHCSF has identified the review of the pension reform Act 2014 as a major assignment which must be approached headlong with every sense of responsibility.

These initiatives are to ensure that retired Civil Servants are supported and have rightful access to their entitlements for their meritorious service to the nation as and when due. She commended

the Executive Secretary, PTAD, Dr Chioma Nnenna Ejikeme for ensuring eligible pensioners under her Office receive pension payments without hassles, stressing that PTAD ensures regular verification of retired personnels for smooth operations.

Representative of the Director General of PENCOM, Dr. Farouk Aminu pointed out that the Pension Reform Act made provision for employers to contribute 10% and employees 8% monthly towards the Retirement Savings Account (RSA).

Some retirees who spoke at the meeting called for the amendment of the PENCOM Act to allow retirees access 100% of their pension fund at retirement.

Akinwumi Taiwo Olufunke

For: Director (Press and Public Relations)

29/7/2021.