By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos
A pensioners’ association, the Association of Retired Federal Senior Public Officers of Nigeria (ARFESPON), has raised concerns over the Federal Government’s silence regarding the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate’s (PTAD) alleged refusal to revert to the officially approved monthly benefit payment structure recommended by the Salaries and Wages Commission.
The pensioners, operating under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) regulated by PTAD, express dissatisfaction with PTAD’s insistence on an alternative payment table, accusing the government of non-action in addressing the issue.
Mr. Olufemi Odewabi, Chairman of ARFESPON Lagos Chapter, highlighted discrepancies between PTAD’s payment table and the one established by the Salaries and Wages Commission.
He emphasized that PTAD’s table leads to short payments every month, with pensioners receiving benefits meant for lower-grade officers.
Alh M Giwa, a professional Accountant who retired as a Deputy Director(Finance & Accounts) spoke with OPTIMUM TIMES, he said he was short paid by PTAD to the tune of N12,430 per month for not using the approved Pension Table of Salaries & Wages Commission.
“N12,430x 55.5months amounts to 689,865. This is the total amount PTAD short paid me with effect from 18th April 2019 to 30th November 2023 for not using the approved Table of Salaries & Wages Commission.” he said.
Despite attempts to draw attention to these shortcomings, the government has not taken corrective measures, raising concerns about a compromise and endorsement of PTAD’s practices.
Odewabi questioned the supervising Minister/Ministry’s role in checking PTAD’s actions, referring to PTAD as a “parallel government” with its own table disrupting accurate payment based on genuine grade levels.
The pensioners also called out the National Assembly, expressing doubts about its ability to address the issues given potential conflicts of interest.
The group highlighted the deduction of 20.4 percent labeled as tax, housing, etc., from the 2010 salary increase of 53.4 percent.
PTAD claims this deduction is legitimate, but Odewabi argued that pensioners should not pay tax according to the constitution.
The association expressed concerns about the National Assembly’s oversight functions, suggesting that some members may have been involved in similar irregularities during their time in state governments. With no concrete actions taken, the pensioners feel left to the hands of fate.
