Lives in Peril as National Assembly Delays Pensions Board Inauguration-Retirees
No fewer than 20 retired workers of the National Assembly have died awaiting the payment of their gratuities and pensions, a situation attributed to delays in the inauguration of the National Assembly Pensions Board. The board, established under the National Assembly Service Pensions Act, 2023, was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari but has yet to be operationalized.
The delay is reportedly caused by internal disagreements within the National Assembly’s management and political leadership. Meanwhile, at least 12 retirees are currently bedridden and battling deteriorating health conditions due to financial hardship.
Sources have identified several prominent retirees who have passed away, including former Deputy Clerks and Secretaries, highlighting the toll of the ongoing delay. The law mandates that the National Pensions Commission (PENCOM) transfer the pension assets of National Assembly retirees to the new board. However, PENCOM cannot proceed because the board has yet to be constituted.
The Council of Retired Clerks and Secretaries, alongside the Association of Retired Staff of the National Assembly, has held emergency meetings to address the crisis. They have called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to inaugurate the board immediately to alleviate the suffering of retirees.
A communiqué from these groups emphasized that retirees who contributed significantly to the growth of the National Assembly now feel abandoned. The document outlined resolutions urging swift action, including direct engagement with the National Assembly leadership and appreciation for provisions made in the 2024 Appropriations Act to fund the board’s operations.
The communiqué further noted that delays have led to “undue and untold hardship,” with retirees unable to access their entitlements. The groups have expressed hope for immediate intervention to prevent further loss of life and suffering among retirees.
