The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to pension reforms, highlighting his understanding of the challenges faced by pensioners.

The Minister made the remarks during the launch of the revised Service Charter for the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate in Abuja on Wednesday.

This assurance follows persistent protests by pensioners in Abuja and Lagos over unpaid arrears and N35,000 palliative allowances.

In her address, Uzoka-Anite reflected on the significant improvements brought by pension reforms, which, she said, gave workers across Nigeria renewed hope.

She noted that the reform provided workers in both the public and private sectors with “lifetime insurance,” ensuring that they would have financial security after retirement.

She added that the pension scheme had become a vital part of workers’ financial plans, particularly as it offered a reliable alternative when facing economic challenges.

The Minister also addressed the government’s ongoing efforts to secure and grow pension funds.

“We’ve been working with PENCOM to ensure that pension funds are not only invested securely but also leveraged to drive economic development,” Uzoka-Anite said, underscoring the importance of pension assets in national growth.

She expressed gratitude towards Tinubu for his leadership in addressing pension liabilities, with a focus on clearing outstanding pension payments.

Uzoka-Anite revealed that the government has plans to issue N758bn bond to clear these liabilities, a step she described as crucial in securing the future of pensioners.

The Minister reiterated that the issue of pensioners not receiving their dues promptly must come to an end.

“It breaks our hearts every time we see pensioners come to demand their pensions. It shouldn’t be like that. If you worked and gave your best years to your country, the least we can do is give you your best years when you retire,” she said.

Uzoka-Anite also praised the work of PTAD and its leadership, emphasising that pensioners now had a system in place that they could rely on.

“We want pensioners to know that it is now a thing of the past that they have to cry before they see their money,” she assured.

The minister reaffirmed that the government, under President Tinubu’s leadership, is fully committed to pension reform. “The President understands the pain of being a pensioner. He was a pensioner first before we gave him a mandate to come back. He’s a man who has empathy for the suffering of the people,” she stated.

Also speaking at the event, the Director General of the National Pension Commission, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, expressed deep commitment to ensuring the welfare of pensioners. “There is no greater honour than making an impact in the life of those who have given their all to this nation,” she stated, underscoring the importance of helping pensioners retire with dignity.

She highlighted the significance of the service charter as a renewed promise to pensioners, emphasising that their welfare is central to PenCom’s mission.

“It is more than a document; it’s a renewed commitment to our senior citizens,” she said.

Oloworaran also noted recent achievements, including the approval of long-outstanding arrears and the introduction of healthcare for pensioners.

She stressed that these initiatives are “life-changing” and will positively impact the lives of many households.

She reaffirmed PenCom’s commitment to ensuring pensioners’ dignity, transparency, and respect in retirement.

In her welcome remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, Tolulope Odunaiya, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to enhancing service delivery for pensioners.

“I am truly honoured to stand before you today at the official launch of our second edition of the Service Charter,” she began, noting that the event symbolised PTAD’s collective commitment to “entrenching excellence and beneficial impact in service delivery.”

The Executive Secretary stressed that the revised Service Charter is “more than a document,” calling it a “covenant” between PTAD, pensioners, and stakeholders.

The revised charter, she explained, includes realistic performance metrics, a renewed commitment to quality, and clearer accessibility for all pensioners.

“Our goal is to ensure you clearly understand your entitlements and the standards you can expect from us,” she added.

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Godwin Abumisi, expressed both gratitude and frustration at the state of pension administration in Nigeria during the launch of the revised Service Charter.

“I recognise the struggles we faced in collecting our pensions. Many of us died while trying to rectify issues with our pensions,” Abumisi said, reflecting on the past challenges pensioners faced during verification exercises. He acknowledged the positive strides made by PTAD, stating, “We have left Egypt, but we are not yet at the promised land.”

While commending PTAD for its work, Abumisi highlighted that many pensioners, particularly in remote areas, still face difficulties with verification.

“Many of them do not have phones, and cannot complete this exercise without assistance,” he said, urging authorities to reach out to those left behind.

Abumisi concluded by thanking President Tinubu for his empathy towards pensioners, vowing that come 2027, pensioners would rally behind him.

“I wish to thank the president of Nigeria for his empathy for the pensioners of Nigeria. We are seeing all that is needed to ensure that pensioners of Nigeria raise their heads above the water, and I want to make a promise that come 2027, we will direct all pensioners to vote for him,” he said. (The PUNCH)