By Adedapo Adesanya
The House of Representatives at its plenary on Thursday Abuja moved a motion to investigate the non-remittances of contributions by employers into their pension funds. They also sought to look into the delay and non-payment of pension entitlements to beneficiaries by the pension administrators in Nigeria.
The motion was moved the lawmaker representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State at the National Assembly, Mr Yusuf Gagdi. He argued that there was a stipulated date when employees were entitled to receive their monthly pensions, which is 7 days after the salaries of the staff still working in the organization had been paid.
During the session, Mr Gagdi lamented that thousands of Nigerians, who make up the pensionable cadre, have not been paid their entitlements long after retirement due to what he considered as “unexplainable reasons”.
Mr Gagdi also expressed worry that many ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of government refuse to contribute their quota to the scheme which gives room for sch problems to arise and continue.
He said that this affects the livelihood of people who have served the nation as they are not guaranteed their gratuity, noting that this was worrisome considering the hard-hitting economic situation prevalent in the country.
Mr Gagdi called on the House Committee on Pensions to investigate the non-remittances by such administrators and report back to the House in 6 weeks. This motion was seconded by Mr Shehu Koko, the member representing Maiyama/Koko/Besse Federal Constituency of Kebbi State.
The motion was then voted and adopted by members of the lower chamber of the parliament. The committee was given six weeks to probe the matter and make its findings known to the green chamber.
Dipo Olowookere