The Federal government has approved the payment of 33 per cent arrears of three years military pensioners, instead of the original 53 per cent.

However, the payment will be spread in phases, beginning from this year, until it is finally liquidated.

The Chairman, Military Pensions board, Air vice Marshal Mohammed Rabiu Dabo, who disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja, on Monday, said that the one-year arrears would be spread over four quarters for 2015, while the remaining two years arrears would be carried over to next year, until it is finally settled.

The chairman stated that the first quarter arrears for this year have been paid to the pensioners since February, while the next quarter will be paid in April or May, depending on when the government releases money.

He added that military pensioners have already started enjoying the 33 per cent increase in their take home, since 2013, but it was the arrears that had been dragging, which the government has now spread the payment of into three years.

The Chairman noted that, “the national salaries and income and wages commission, in late 2014, released a circular in which it was clarified that the arrears due to pensioners is only 33 per cent, due to the huge financial outlay of the arrears and the face of scarce resources.

“The money will be released in quarterly tranches, starting from first quarter of 2015, until the arrears are defrayed. I am happy to inform you that the board has received the first release of the funds and payment to all affected retirees has been completed for the first quarter of 2015, the action of the government in this regard has underscored her great concern to the welfare of retirees.”

Dabo also announced that the military pensions board has strengthened its communication platforms, via their website, email account and telephone lines, which is aimed to foster effective communication between the board and military stakeholders, thus providing efficient feedback mechanism.

He assured that the board will continue to discharge its statutory roles with absolute commitment on the premise of transparency, accountability and integrity for efficient service delivery.

The Chairman also announced that the government is already working on the harmonisation of military pension as the disparity in salary of those who retired long ago is so much.

On the delayed verification exercise to ascertain the actual number of retirees in their payroll, the Chairman assured that the exercise will be carried out after the elections.

He attributed the delay to the security challenges in the North-eastern part of the country.

*From Nigerian Tribune. Photo shows FG