FG approves harmonisation of military pensions

The Military Pensions Board (MPB) has confirmed the harmonisation of military pension by the Federal Government.

A statement issued by the spokesman of the board, Flt.-Lt Ikenna Ezendu on Monday said the harmonization takes effect from August 2016.

Ezendu said the decision was part of efforts to bridge the gap in pensions between certain ranks of pensioners who retired before and after consolidation of salaries in July 2010.

He said the MPB in conjunction with National Salary Income and Wages Commission were working to ensure that approved table by Federal Government was applied during implementation.

Ezendu however advised pensioners and other stakeholders to disregard unofficial figures being circulated on the harmonisation of military pensions.

He said the figures published in some online media on the harmonised pension were wrong and should not be relied upon by pensioners across the country.

“The mostly affected rank brackets for harmonization are Private to Sergeant as well as Brigedier General and above.

“Therefore, pensioners should endeavour to find out the actual gap in pension between these two categories of pensioners to avoid speculation,’’ he said.

He added that the Pension Review Committee coordinated by the Chief of Defence Staff was working on a general review of military pension for all retirees.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the gap that existed followed the consolidation of salaries by the Federal Government in 2010.

NAN reports that the present management of the board has introduced reforms to streamline the administration of military pensions in Nigeria.

NAN reports that the highpoint of the pension reforms include the digitisation of payment and verification of pensioners.

NAN recalls that the Federal Government in March 2015 approved the payment of 33 per cent arrears of three years military pensioners, instead of the original 53 per cent.