The Correctional Officers Pencom Retirees Association of Nigeria (COPRAN) has submitted a petition to President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minister of Labour, and Human Rights Commission, among others, regarding the challenges faced by retirees under the contributory Pension Commission (PenCom) scheme.
According to COPRAN, retirees are being deprived of their funds by PenCom after retirement, leading to untold hardship and inability to provide for their basic needs.
The association’s president, Mr. Anthony Ayiwulu, expressed frustration that after 35 years of dedicated service, retirees are only owed gratuities and are unable to cater to their families’ needs.
Ayiwulu cited the example of the Nigerian Army, which opted out of the PenCom scheme, and emphasized the need for a policy change or review to benefit retirees.
He highlighted the challenges retirees face in the current economic situation, including high living costs and healthcare expenses, and urged the government to prioritize fairness in its dealings with citizens.
Ayiwulu specifically called for prompt payment of civil and public servants’ retirement benefits to help them cope with retirement.
COPRAN also lamented that senior citizens under PenCom have yet to receive any palliative to mitigate the hard economic situation in the country, despite submitting their information through their Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).
The petition serves as a reminder of the plight of retirees in Nigeria, who often struggle with limited resources, and urges the government to take immediate action to address their concerns.
