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MPB begins payment of minimum wage increment arrears to military pensioners
By Matthew Eloyi
The Military Pensions Board (MPB) has begun paying over 90,000 qualified military pensioners across the country their 24 month arrears of minimum wage increment.
The payment began on Thursday, according to the Chairman of the Board, Rear Adm. Saburi Lawal, who stated this while briefing journalists on Friday in Abuja.
Lawal stated that the board had started paying individual pensioners 25% of the outstanding amount, and that the payment will be made in four quarterly payments.
The chairman stated that the first 25% will be paid in February, the second in April, the third in July, and the fourth and final payment in October.
He further stated that the Next-of-Kin (NOKs) of deceased pensioners who were still living in April 2019, when President Muhammadu Bihari approved the consequential adjustment, had been paid.
According to him, all pensioners who died between April 2019 and April 2021 were likewise eligible for the arrears, and their NOKs were paid in full.
In his words, “MPB wishes to inform our esteem retirees and pensioners that the board started paying 25 per cent of the arrears of minimum wage increments to eligible military retirees on MPB payroll yesterday Feb. 3, 2022.
“This payment is the first out of four installment payments that will be made to all pensioners entitled to the arrears of minimum wage increment on pensions.
“Our esteemed pensioners should please note that this installment payment arrangement is the outcome of the discussions and agreement reached between the Board and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.”
According to him, it is for quarterly releases of the appropriated sum in the first month of each quarter.
“Thus, all things being equal, subsequent payments of the outstanding arrears will be in the months of April, July and October.
“Additionally, I will like to further inform that all Next of Kins (NOKs) of deceased military pensioners who are eligible for same arrears would be paid the minimum wage increments together with the shortfall of the death benefits earlier paid to them.
“Accordingly, Next of Kins of deceased military pensioners who died between April 2019 and April 2021 are advised to contact their banks for these payments,” he said.
Lawal highlighted that the consequential pension modifications brought about by the new National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2019 did not affect the pensions of senior officers of the rank of Major-General and above or their equivalents.
He reassured military retirees, NOKs, and other well-intentioned Nigerians that the board would remain steadfast and achieve full payment of the arrears before the end of the year, subject to funds release.