Military Pensioners Blockade Finance Ministry over Non-payment of Entitlements
A contingent of retired military personnel, who voluntarily disengaged during the third and fourth quarters of 2023, convened yesterday for a peaceful demonstration outside the Federal Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja, demanding the immediate settlement of their overdue entitlements.
Clad in military camouflage, the former servicemen called for the prompt disbursement of outstanding discrepancies in their gratuity, security debarment allowance (SDA), and packing allowance.
Officially retired as of July 1, 2024, the protesters brandished placards and banners detailing their grievances.
Among their demands were the full payment of their gratuity and salary deductions allowance (SDA) in accordance with the new national minimum wage, settlement of their housing scheme contributions, disbursement of NAWIS/BenFund, and resolution of their packing allowance.
The retired soldiers, who asserted their dedicated service to the nation, voiced their exasperation over the delay, deeming it an unjust treatment following years of devoted service.
“We have fulfilled our obligations by serving this country faithfully. It is now the government’s duty to honor its promises and remunerate us appropriately,” one protester declared.
Efforts by a senior military officer, an Air Vice Marshal, who arrived in an attempt to placate the demonstrators, proved futile as they persisted in occupying the entrance, demanding their grievances be addressed prior to any negotiations.
Corporal Umar Faruq (retd), one of the group’s leaders, lamented the authorities’ disregard for their predicament, stating the Military Pensions Board had informed them of their ineligibility for the new national minimum wage adjustments, citing their disengagement date of July 1, 2024, as justification.
“This is intolerable. We have dedicated our best years to the nation. Many are suffering while the system continues to deny us what is rightfully ours.”
The protest sowed chaos, disrupted official operations at the finance ministry, and drew the attention of the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, who addressed the demonstrators and assured them of governmental intervention to resolve their issues.
