Ebonyi: PenCom charges workers to enroll in contributory pension scheme

By, Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

The National Pension commission, PenCom, has charged the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, Ebonyi State chapters to participate actively in contributory pension scheme.

The Director General of PenCom, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran made this known during a one day sensitization program on NLC and TUC leaders in Ebonyi, held at Re-meritona hotel , Abakaliki.

Oloworaran emphasized that the sensitization program will benefit NLC and TUC greatly, adding: “the obvious advantage of the Contributory Pension Scheme to State Governments is that it has eliminated the pension burden placed on State Governments by the old scheme while also ensuring that workers get their retirement benefits as and when due. 

“States implementing the CPS in Nigeria are on the right path to a glorious future without pension liabilities, economic development and assured financial security for workers and retirees. 

“The CPS offers states a unique opportunity to access accumulated pension funds for infrastructural development.

“The need for sensitization and enlightenment of the organized labour is paramount as we observed great knowledge gap on the general workings of the Scheme. Our aim, therefore, will be to impact that knowledge, as well as the benefits of the CPS to the State. 

“The importance of an enactment that services to consolidate the achievements of the Contributory Pension Scheme at the state level cannot be over emphasized, the Commission is committed to ensuring that all retirees, from both the public and private sectors, at the state and National level receive their retirement benefits as and when due. 

“Our focus will be to constructively engage Ebonyi State in a sustainable manner and work towards seamless implementation of CPS retirees. 

“As part of our strategy towards pension reforms in greater number of states, PenCom encourages some flexibility in the adoption of Contributory Pension arrangement in a manner that suits each state. 

“In addition, we are working to ensure pensioners under the CPS and other pension arrangements benefit from pension increments provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

“Consequently, it is important for us all, both at the Federal, State and Local Government levels to protect our future through the contributory pension scheme” she stressed.

Earlier in a remark, the Head of Service, Ebonyi state Mrs. Rita Egwu represented by the permanent Secretary, Establishment, Pensions, and Management Services, Office of the Head of Service, Mrs Isioma Inya said that government would evaluate the pension scheme.

“I wouldn’t conclude that it is also…

achievable in the States. By the time they are through with the sensitization, they will take it back to the state government and still allow workers because it’s still their issue and it’s also the state government. 

“So even though Ebonyi State had earlier ventured into this some years back, they tried and saw it wasn’t really working out. And now they are here again to still make the representation to His Excellency.

“When I get back now, I will inform who sent me,  we have a father, and the representation will be made to him. If the state buys into it, it’s all good.

If they decide to look into the do’s, don’t, and the pros, and all of that,

they will come out with whatever that is feasible and for the best interest of workers.

“I think he’s the best worker-friendly governor in the whole nation, as he stands now. To the best of my information and knowledge, based on the way he takes anything that concerns workers to heart.

“So once this information gets to the head of service and is related to him,

we’ll now go in and know how we take it up from there”.

Responding, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ogugua Egwu and his counterpart, Trade Union Congress,  Ogboji Chidi, promised to take the message to their members for deliberations.

They, however, noted the advantages attached in the federal government programs but regretted that the handlers of such programs, in most cases, abuse it.