Alhassan Musa, Secretary of the NUP in Kaduna, urged the government to address lingering issues concerning contributory pensioners, particularly at the local government level.
Musa commended Governor Uba Sani's administration for releasing ₦10.4 billion for gratuities and death benefits for retirees under both the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) and Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
According to Musa, the Kaduna State Government began implementing the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2017, and all retirees from that year onward fall under the new pension system.
The NUP scribe explained that Governor Uba Sani had approved and released about ₦10.4 billion for the payment of gratuities and death benefits for both DBS and CPS retirees. He added that vouchers were signed for the payment of ₦3.8 billion to over 1,000 beneficiaries under both schemes.
Musa commended the administration for the regularity of monthly pension payments to those under the Defined Benefit Scheme. However, he noted that payments for those under the CPS come from Pension Fund Administrators, not the state government directly.
On welfare matters, the union raised concern over the non-implementation of the approved new minimum pension of ₦62,000 in line with the recent wage adjustments.
Musa identified poor remittances from local governments as a key challenge, leaving many local government retirees underpaid or unpaid. He called on local government councils to improve remittance compliance and urged the state government to intervene.
The NUP also expressed dissatisfaction over the treatment of retired permanent secretaries in the state. According to Musa, despite a court ruling mandating full pension payment, the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai had reduced their monthly pension from ₦200,000 to ₦100,000.
Musa said outstanding liabilities mainly affect CPS beneficiaries. However, he expressed optimism that the Kaduna State Government would soon clear arrears for those under the Defined Benefit Scheme.
The NUP urged authorities to act swiftly to correct these discrepancies, particularly for local government retirees who continue to suffer neglect despite serving the public diligently.