The Federal Government (FG) has commenced payment of pensions and other entitlements to retired military pensioners as well as their three months arrears.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, according to a statement
issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja.
Recall that retired military personnel had grounded activities at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Thursday to protest their unpaid entitlements.
The retirees expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s failure to pay the promised 20% to 28% salary increment from January to November 2024.
They demanded overdue payments for palliatives from October 2023 to November 2024, an additional N32,000 added to their pensions, bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance, and the refund of pension deductions made from the salaries of medically boarded soldiers.
Matawalle who said that government had begun payment of military salary increases added that the military personnel had started receiving alerts for the payment.
“President Bola Tinubu released funds for the payment of pension and other entitlements owed to retired military personnel on Thursday,” the statement said.
He commended the president for his commitment to the welfare of both serving and retired military personnel.
He assured that the payment of pension arrears owed to retirees would continue to receive a special attention.
The minister who urged the Nigerian military to remain committed to their duties assured them that the president was fully committed to boosting their morale and providing the necessary support to combat insecurity in Nigeria.
“In spite of initial setbacks, be rest assured that Mr President will do everything within his power to uplift our military forces as they confront the challenges of insecurity,” Matawalle said.
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