The Correctional Officers Pencom Retirees Association of Nigeria (COPRAN), has written to President Bola Tinubu over what they termed the worsening plight of pensioners under the contributory pension scheme of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).
COPRAN, in the which was also sent to the Senate President, Speaker House of Representatives, Minister of Labour, and Human Rights Commission, among others, alleged that pensioners are starved of their funds by PenCom after retirement.
President of COPRAN, Plateau Command, Anthony Ayiwulu, noted that the PENCOM policy, though made in good faith, had caused more harm than good to the public servant retirees, who were also called senior citizens.
He said there was, therefore, an urgent need for the policy to be changed or reviewed for the common good and betterment of those concerned and for an effective result.
The association’s president stated that after 35 years of diligent, selfless service to one’s nation, all one has to show for it, is owed gratuities and the inability to provide one’s basic needs and even the needs of one’s family.
“The Nigerian Army sought out of the PenCom scheme and their request was granted, because the scheme only created untold hardship in the lives of retired servicemen.
“In the current situation of the country with rate of inflation, retirees have a lot of bills to pick including taking care of their health. There should exist a spirit of fairness in the nation’s dealings with its citizens and in the payment of civil, public servants and retirees promptly, would help them cope with retirement,” he said.
