ABUJA: Retired workers of the Nigerian Customs Service derided the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) for its inability to pay their entitlements nearly one year after service to the nation.
They, therefore, called on PENCOM, to as a matter of urgency, alleviate their sufferings through immediate payment of their backlog retirement benefits.
The workers, who spoke under anonymity, urged PENCOM to borrow a leaf from the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, (PTAD), stating that PTAD pays retirees under it promptly.
While expressing dismay that PENCOM reneged on it’s earlier promise to pay them in three months time.
Speaking in tears, they said the development had brought untold hardship to them as they could no longer take care of their family responsibilities.
“PENCOM, we retired in July 2014 which is eight months now but nothing has been heard from you. Prior to our retirement, you told us that we shall get our money in three months time. The old method of payment is better, please pay us our retirement benefits, we are suffering”, one of them told the Commission.
The retirees further stated that most of them could no longer pay their house rent over the development, adding that they may be ejected from their apartments if the Federal Government failed to intervene.
