FG set to review pension laws to accommodate new trends
Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja
In its bid to address the plight of retired civil servants in the country, the federal government has reaffirmed its resolve to review pension laws in order to accommodate the emerging trends.
Speaking during a book presentation titled, Retirement in Nigeria: A Management Approach written by Felix Amadi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), said president Muhammadu Buhari led government was ready to address the excruciating pains and difficulties faced by the pensioners.
Malami who was represented by by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Jubrilu Gwandu said that the review is expected to serve the best interest of retired civil servant in view of the contemporary realities of life in modern times.
While reaffirming the commitment of government to improve on the welfare of senior citizens across the country, Malami also called on the state government to ensure prompt and timely payment of entitlements of pensioners.
He said, it was unfortunate that in some developing societies, retirement is characterized by gloomy life of misfortunes convolutedly girdle by poverty, sickness and vulnerability which are aggravated by physical challenges, psychological trauma and sometimes social depression.
According to the AGF, retirement is expected to be a time of ecstasy and joy when senior citizens enjoy a bloomy and flourishing life – reaping the bountiful harvests of what they sow during years of active service.
”I reiterate the commitment of the Federal Government including the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to the improvement of the welfare of Nigerians, especially the retired senior citizens through adherence to what best serve the interests of citizens in the spirit of the rule of law and extant regulations.
”On this note, it is instructive to note that the present administration reviewed the Pension Laws in 2014 and the office of the Honorable Attorney General of the Federation is ready for the review of pension laws whenever the need arises in order to accommodate the emerging trends with a view to serve the best interest of the retired civil servant in view of the contemporary realities of life in modern times.
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”To address the excruciating pains and difficulties faced by the pensioners, all stakeholders including government at state levels and pension fund administrators would have to ensure prompt and timely payment of entitlements of pensioners. States house of assemblies would have to be supported to come out with laws that best serve the interest of the teaming retired personalities.
”It is also imperative to ensure timely remitting of contributions of the civil servants to the designated pension fund”.
On his part, Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Dauda Birmah, a former minister of Education lauded the efforts of the author in writing the book.
He said, the book will go a long way to assist civil servants on a how to go about life after service.
