The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) has applauded the federal government for clearing the pension arrears of 957,045 retirees amounting to about N758 billion.
In a statement by its Chairman, Chukwudi Enekwechi, and Secretary, Segun Ogedengbe, the group noted that the pension arrears had been outstanding since 2007.
The statement read in full: “Despite the huge backlog of pension arrears inherited by the President Bola Tinubu administration, it has chosen to offset them and also put other measures in place to alleviate the problems associated with pension payment and administration in the country.
“We also note that the payout marks the end of decades of delayed benefits that have been passed down from successive administrations.
“We are glad to note that in the spirit of Renewed Hope Agenda, the Tinubu administration has undertaken to offset the pension arrears of federal workers who had toiled over the years to serve the country in different capacities.
“This landmark liquidation of several years of legacy federal pension arrears is a clear demonstration of statesmanship on the part of the Tinubu administration and represents one element of the broader institutional economic reforms implemented by the Tinubu administration.
“Definitely, a labourer deserves his wages either in or out of service, as this is the only way the federal government can compensate them for rendering service to their fatherland.”
The group also commended the National Pension Commission for introducing the Zero Waiting Time Policy and making efforts to expand pension awareness and outreach, as well as involving the stakeholders in the industry to ensure a seamless implementation of the national pension policy.
