Minna, Nov. 10, 2023: Niger government says it will commence payment of gratuities only after pensioners were captured biometrically and their data automated technologically.
Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, disclosed this during the inauguration of the newly constructed Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) complex in Minna on Thursday.
Bago, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Yakubu Garba, said government had directed all pensioners to go to their various Pension Fund Administration (PFA) for biometric data capturing.
“We discovered recently on our website some pensioners collecting three pensions in a month, this reform is to address these types of anomalies,” he said.
He said the state government had engaged a consultant to also automate all pensioners, adding that the Nigerian Union of Labour Congress (NLC) had been directed to do head count of pensioners at local government level.
He, however, commended the union for its foresight to build pensioners complex which would serve as a legacy to the union.
In his address, Malam Ishaku Ndagi Chairman, Niger state Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), said the secretariat was built with pensioners money without assistance from government or anyone.
He appealed to the governor to capture pensioners into his “New Niger Agenda and also commence payment of gratuities of all alive and dead retirees at local and state levels.
He disclosed that the union plan to build a dedicated clinic to carter for the health needs of pensioners and appealed to government to assist the union with land.
In their separate goodwill messages, Mrs Afiniki Dauda, Deputy Speaker of Niger Assembly, advised people still in active service to treat pensioners well and give them the needed attention.
Also, Mr Godwin Abumisi, National President of NUP, advised other state unions to emulate Niger state by leaving a legacy behind, adding that the secretariat will help in the development of the state.
Alhaji Nasiru Namaska, Director General of Niger Pension Board, represented by Mrs Alice Ali, commended pensioners for using their resources to build the secretariat which would stand as a legacy.
