By Chinyere Bassey
FLOWERBUDNEWS: Some retired senior public servants in Nigeria, have called on the Federal Government to enhance their retirement benefits to commensurate with the present economic realty.
The pensioners who retired as Directors or assistant Directors from the Health services, Federal Government owned media organisation or as Civil Servants said on Friday, that many senior citizens are living a life of despondency and unable to meet their needs.
Mrs Elizabeth Adebayo, a retired senior Nurse from a Federal Government General Hospital in Lagos, said that the government should always increase pensioners money as workers are getting a raise in their monthly salary.
‘For us to live well, the Federal Government should endeavour to increase retirement income as soon as workers get a raise.
We cannot use our pension money for expenses caused by inflation.
”As the government increases or money, we can take care of our health as and when due.
The raise is necessary because, inflation has affected many goods and services. What some of us receive is no longer enough even if it is ₦100,000 a month.
” I also urge the government to review the policy on retirement savings. We should get our total savings in lump sum after leaving the service not in bits’, she said.
According to Adebayo, the retirees get their money in parts and some even die leaving the entire savings to be shared by family members or by the children they had trained while in service.
She said it was time for the government to review the Pension Act law to enable pension administrators to pay at least 80 per cent of a person’s money after retirement.
”This will enable the person to make a new plan, take care of his or her health and enjoy the money while alive.
Chief Nwanne Sunday, who retired as a Director of Communication bemoans the suffering of some senior citizens because of economic instability.
”The prices of many goods and services in Nigeria have increased compared to what they were five years ago. Retired directors need to be paid one year of their monthly salary while leaving the office.
The person can take care of his health and other needs,” he said.
Sunday further said that the government should also provide special cards for retirees to enable them to get a rebate in the public bus or in the train.
”This will reduce the amount spent on transportation and a particular side of the bus or train can be reserved for retirees to sit for their comfort.
He added that the provision of a recreational centre with facilities such as a wheel chair would help to improve the comfort and mental health of senior citizens who retired from government service.
In his contribution, Mr Alex Oyia, a retired Assistant Director from the Ministry of Housing, agreed that a one-year salary should be paid to a director after retirement.
He said the money would help stabilise the person before receiving the monthly pension which should be reviewed intermittently.
He added that the government should also ensure that senior officers get decent accommodation before retirement. (End)
