By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Many pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) have expressed deep frustration over what they describe as the painfully slow process of paying the 50 per cent of their 18-year arrears of allowances by the Pension Fund Administrators,PFAs.
Speaking with our correspondent in a telephone interview from Lagos,one of such pensioners,Mr.Mike Mboye,wondered why his PFA has not found expedient to pay him his allowances more than ten days that the exercise started, saying that he has continued all the necessary processes with his PFA for such payment.
“I am seriously going through financial pains due to the fact that that my PFA has not paid my allowances, in spite of the fact that Pencom has directed all the PFAs to commence such payment for CPS pensioners through out the country”, he said.
Another CPS pensioner, and a traditional ruler,Oba Micheal Omolade,who spoke with our correspondent through similar communication channel from Ondo expressed similar frustration.
“While my colleagues are smiling to their banks, I am still looking on to God for mine allowances to be paid by my PFA”, the royal father said.
Alhaji Mustapha Lamidi from Ilorin also told our in a telephone interview that he and his wife were yet to get their allowances at the time of this report.
Our investigation also revealed similar development as many CPS pensioners in Lokoja, Kogi State equally complained of not receiving their allowances since Pencom gave the PFAs green light to pay the money.
The pensioners concerned called on Pencom and NUPCPS to come to their rescue by gearing up the PFAs to speed up the payment process.
According to them, the call became necessary because they needed the money to take care of some urgent family responsibilities, including feeding,house rent, children school fees and prepare for December expenses among others.
However, some Pension have expressed relief for receiving their allowances, adding that they have started the process for the balance of the 50 per cent of the money to boost their monthly pension;either in programmed or annuity.
The Reporters recalls that the National Chairman of NUPCPS, Comrade Silva Nwaiwu, in his broadcast to the pensioners, had earlier emphasized the urgent need for PFAs to accelerate the payment of outstanding allowances to pensioners.
He acknowledged that challenges such as incorrect pensioners’ names, banking discrepancies, and other administrative issues may exist, but insisted that these do not justify the continued delays in paying pensioners they have been cleared and satisfied for the payment.
