By Asaye Bankole
Military retirees on Tuesday barricaded the entrance to the Military Pensions Board office in Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, protesting against the formula adopted for adjusting their pensions.
The protesting veterans blocked access to the premises with canopies and chairs, while armed soldiers were deployed to prevent them from entering the office.
The demonstration followed growing dissatisfaction among retired military personnel over the implementation of consequential pension adjustments expected to reflect salary increases granted to serving military officers.
The retirees are concerned that the formula adopted by the Military Pensions Board has failed to adequately reflect the salary adjustments, leaving some veterans dissatisfied with the proposed increases.
The latest protest comes weeks after military retirees staged a demonstration at the Ministry of Defence in September, demanding improved pension payments following salary increases for serving personnel.
During the earlier protest, the retirees called on the Federal Government to ensure that their pensions were adjusted in line with the changes in the salaries of serving military personnel.
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, had reportedly assured the retirees that the pension increase would be implemented in October.
However, concerns over how the adjustments were calculated have continued to generate tension between the veterans and the authorities responsible for administering their pensions.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s demonstration, the Coordinator of the Veterans Association of Nigeria, Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Azubike, accused the Military Pensions Board of adopting a formula that allegedly short-changed some retirees.
Azubike said the protest was prompted by mounting dissatisfaction among veterans over the implementation of the consequential adjustments.
According to him, the retirees are seeking a fair and transparent calculation of their pensions to ensure that the adjustments adequately reflect the salary increases approved for serving military personnel.
The veterans believe that the pension review should take into account the implications of the salary adjustments rather than leave some retirees with increases they consider inadequate.
The dispute has renewed concerns about the welfare of retired military personnel, many of whom depend on their pensions to meet their daily needs after years of service in the Armed Forces.
The retirees are urging the relevant authorities to address their grievances and ensure that the promised adjustments are implemented in a manner they consider fair.
The blockade of the Military Pensions Board entrance highlights the continuing disagreement over the pension review, despite the Defence Minister’s earlier assurance that the increase would be effected in October.
As of the time of the report, there was no further information on whether the protesting veterans had reached an agreement with the board or when the dispute would be resolved.
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