The River State government said civil servants in the state will soon benefit from the new pension scheme.
The chairman Rivers State Pension Board, Mrs. Edna Alikor, dropped the hint at the first sensitization and enlightenment campaign organized by the Board at the Ministry of Justice secretariat on Thursday, April 12, 2012.
The programme which has the theme: “Implementation Status: Aims/Objectives and the Role of PFAS,” was the first of its kind according to the Board chairman.
Mrs. Alikor stated that it was imperative to sensitize and enlighten those that would benefit from the scheme so that they would have a role to play.
Speaking to journalist shortly after the programme, the Board chairman maintained that the new contributory pension fund embarked upon by the state will be enjoyed by the civil servants.
She posited that the civil servants are the stakeholders in this venture while calling on them to take the scheme serious.
She told journalists that it is very important to sensitize the pension fund administrators.
The pension board chairman stated that other sections of workers to be involved are the labour leaders and the union and that those that prepare the nominal roll in each of the ministry and agencies would be properly positioned to take up the task.
When asked why the Rivers State government is choosing this new scheme, she said the old scheme was affected with a lot of flaws and was not sustainable, thereby making it to be faulty and ineffective.
On those that will not benefit from the new pension scheme, she pointed out that those whose years of service remain only three years are disqualified from participating in the new pension scheme. She observed that since their years of service remained only three years there is no point of allowing them to join as the law also supported such a disqualification.
Asked if there are regulating bodies to screen those to manage the fund, she said PENCOM has the mandate to select or regulate those to manage such fund.
Mrs. Alikor explained further that not all pension managers will be given the opportunity to operate the fund, but only those with access base of N1bn will take part as one of the pension fund administrators.
She has earlier warned those to benefit from the new scheme to be accurate in giving their personal data such as date of birth and address as key factors to process information.
She used the occasion to state that the Head of Service will provide the comprehensive list of all the contributors and state categorically that conflicting date of birth and cross registration and any issue on malpractice will be dealt with.
The Board chairman alerted those who think connection would assist them, the needed qualification, financial delivery and welfare, to have a change of heart.
She advised those that will be pension managers not to do anything that will increase the burden of the pensioners. For those at the grassroots to benefit and understand, she said adequate training and education is key to the success of the scheme.
Earlier, the chairman of the event, Hon. Josiah John Olu, member representing Eleme constituency, said the pension is contributory, meaning that the state government will contribute some percentage while the worker will also contribute.
Hon. Josiah state that with this new scheme, no pensioner is expected to stand on queues to collect money as everything is computerized and prepared before time.
He said the House of Assembly being a responsive house will only support issues that will bring succour to the people of the state.
It would be recalled that PENCOM is seeking collaboration with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission for massive investment in long-term infrastructure finances.
Those who attended the programme include Directors of administration of the various ministries, Finance, Accounts, workers Union, Unit chairmen in all MDAs, PENCOM officials and board members, among others. There were questions and answer session during the event. ###
Pius Dukor
