By PATRICK ABANG Calabar –
The Nigeria Police Retirees (NPR) under Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) have described the scheme as an evil slave merchandise with the Inspector General of Police (IGPs-retired and serving) as beneficiaries.
In a rejoinder, “Re: IGP Sensitive to Improved Welfare Pension Scheme: Initiate Moves to Proffer Lasting Solution”, the Police retirees said, the press release by the Force PRO as authourized by the IGP Dr. Egbetokun Kayode was “very economical with the truth as paragraph two of the press release emphasized the commitment of the IGP to resolve pending issues as regards post-service police welfare. This is a detour to his repugnant position after his initial wave of political statements and sentiments during his tour of some police formations”.
This rejoinder was contained in a statement dated January 9 by the Nigeria Police Retirees (NPR) under Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), signed by its National Coordinator/Chairman, Cross River State Chapter, SP. Chris Effiong (Rtd), Secretary General, DSP (Dr). Peter Silas (Rtd) and Legal Adviser, DSP (Elder) Ofem Mbang (Rtd).
The police retirees said that they “are aware that he (IGP) is hell bent to coerce retirees under the CPS into a scheme that benefits his dream retirement like the previous IGPs who traded the destinies of both serving and retired officers under their watch. This new commitment is a decoy to persuade our agitated minds and patronize our conscience to lure us into the slave trade merchandising he wishes for us.
“We want to remind the IGP (in case he has forgotten) that the police generals have paved a safe haven for themselves after they exited the evil and obnoxious pension scheme organized for the dredge of the society through the back door”.
They argued, “if this scheme is good enough, why did the Police generals hurriedly exempt themselves from the scheme and want to use us as article of trade to funnel income into the purse of NPF pension and PenCom?
“The Army generals never abandoned their subordinates when the military exited the CPS. It is a shame that the Police generals are happy that a senior Police Officer would collect 1.5m after 35 years of meritorious service to this nation as lump sum (gratuity) and N14,000.00 as monthly pension under our present economy.
“Whereas a junior staff of Pension Commission takes home a whooping 1.5m as monthly salary. The chicks that lay the golden eggs are dying of hunger and starvation. The frustration on retired Police officers has caused high death tolls among Police Retirees.
“For instance, on 23/12/2023 only, two retirees – late Rtd ASP Mohammed Na’Állah Agunbiade and late Rtd ASP Akanbi Ajibola both of Kwara State died. One can imagine if the statistics is across the nation. The death toll has been that way because of poor living condition after retirement”.
The Police retirees said the press release release in paragraph three stated that “in the efforts of the IGP to finding a lasting solution to the pending issues of retirement that the IGP invited both serving and retired police officers to Force Headquarters Abuja for a meeting. We emphatically refute that claim as untrue and unfounded.
“The acclaimed meeting as reported in the news was between the IGP, National Union of Pensioners (NUP) and Police Veterans Forum (PVF) who are not part of the CPS group of retirees. The NUP distanced itself from our several efforts to secure exit from the evil scheme bankrolled by Pencom. They purposely refused to present any papers in any of our appearances both in the Red and Green chambers. So, at what point did they become our representatives?”
Since the formation of the PVF was announced, the retirees said “it’s membership selection has been majority of Defined Benefit Scheme Retirees than Contributory Pension Scheme Retirees. Was any member of the Veteran Foundation at the Red or Green Chambers of the national Assembly to defend Police Exit and Establishment of Police Pension Board Bills? If no, why are those who understand the pains associated with CPS sidelined?
“This is not an oversight but a deliberate act of neglect against Police Retirees under CPS. So, we refute the claim of being at the meeting with a man who is head-bent to further impoverish Police retirees under CPS.
DISCLAIMER
The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.
Leave a Reply