PENCOM and CHANGE Nigerians, urgently desire a la GMB
By William Aborisade
There is the need, at all times, to define the change, we, all, talk about, for the avoidance of doubts. The comatose state of our national image/edifice gives cause for worry, by any definition. The good thing is that confused as the situation, now seems, we, all, seem to have reached a consensus that corruption backed by impunity, is it that makes life unbearable for our citizens. It is what makes our country the worst human habitat, on the surface of the earth, today.
PENCOM
This is the government agency established, as the Obasanjo regime reformed the pension scheme, in 2004, with a view to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerian pensioners. Hitherto, the NPF, the agency in charge of pension was the worst thing to happen to any human society. Pensioners were made to do all kinds of things, including producing forty-year old pay slips, all resulting in nothing but sufferings and regret as pensions were not being paid-in fact pensioners were dying on queues in pension offices and in motor accidents, during needless journeys to pension offices.
The Obasanjo regime opined that a contributory scheme, in which workers contribute some percentage of earnings for safekeeping might help out. This thinking, reasonably, looked at the existing problem, solely from the angle of paucity of funds.(I guess, little or no thought to the idea of stealing) -in many countries of the world, improvements in health care delivery and the attendant increase in longevity, is creating problems with funds, with governments alone footing the bills. Monies are paid to PENCOM which distributes those monies to pension funds administrators. PENCOM serves as the regulatory agency charged with the responsibilities of
ensuring compliance with the pension reform act, by all stakeholders, with a power of sanction for any breach.
For purpose of clarification, this, ordinarily, includes ensuring that
(i)employers remit workers contributions, as at when due.
(ii)retirees are paid promptly without having to suffer, unduly.
The arrangement blossomed under the Obasanjo regime and was, widely acclaimed. No one got paid later than three months, the delay, which was understandable, given that the scheme was new and was expected to improve with time. It is unimaginable that someone who had earned salaries, and paid pension contributions, all his/her working life, would have to go even a single month, without pay, in the name of retirement-it is inhuman; it is ungodly, as it is criminal and can only happen, in Nigeria. This, I, suppose informed the documentation done in zones, organized by PENCOM, for all public officers, a year prior to retirement-what the hell had being the problem!. No public officer retired since July of 2014 had being paid, today April of 2015! These include widows and parents of school-age children!
To add insult to injury, PENCOM is proud to announce, every time, that pensioners funds are in trillions and that billions of these are being invested! Who, the hell are the beneficiaries of these satanic investments that bring sorrows and tears to the contributors?
Before corruption in the public service can be brought down, at least, a minimum welfare scheme needs be put in place. Pension gives hope of something to fall back on, after service.It is on this premise that I opine that the present PENCOM be investigated, culpable officials made to serve as deterrent, deterrent by being put in jail and the agency be reorganized for efficiency.The pertinent questions are
(i) how effectively is PENCOM delivering on its mandate?
(ii) is anyone collecting monies, illegally, from the contributions, for other purposes?
(iii) how competent are PENCOM officials?
(iv)how dedicated and committed to integrity are PENCOM officials.