The House of Representatives has passed a resolution calling on the federal government to implement all approved pension increments without further delay, addressing the growing concerns of Nigerian pensioners nationwide.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion highlighting the challenges faced by pensioners due to non-payment of pension increments and withholding of approved palliatives by the government and allied institutions in Nigeria.
During Wednesday's plenary session, Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle, who moved the motion, reminded the House that President Bola Tinubu had approved a N25,000 wage award as palliative and an additional N32,000 pension increase for pensioners in October 2023.
Ayokunle decried the "persistent and intractable challenges" faced by pensioners, particularly the non-implementation of these approved increases and the withholding of essential palliative measures intended to alleviate their hardships.
"Many pensioners across the country continue to suffer from inadequate income, inability to meet basic needs, and deteriorating health conditions due to these unresolved issues," the lawmaker lamented.
He further noted that the non-implementation of approved pension increments and withholding of palliative measures undermine constitutional principles and threaten social stability in the country.
Following deliberations, the House urged "the Federal government through the Federal Ministry of Finance, allied establishments namely, Humanitarian Services, Accountant General, CBN, PTAD and other relevant agencies to immediately implement all approved pension increments without further delay."
The lawmakers also called on the government to "release all withheld palliative measures and ensure timely disbursement to alleviate the suffering of pensioners."
This development comes amid growing concerns about the welfare of retired civil servants in Nigeria, many of whom have complained about difficulties in accessing their entitlements and the erosion of their pension values due to inflation.
