The federal government has begun paying pensions and other benefits to retired military members, including three months’ arrears.
Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, made this known in a statement published on Thursday in Abuja by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defense.
According to PUNCH Online, retired military soldiers halted activity at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Thursday to protest unfulfilled entitlements.
The retirees voiced dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s refusal to fulfill the promised 20% to 28% income increase from January to November 2024.
Their requests included outstanding palliative payments from October 2023 to November 2024, an extra N32,000 added to their pensions, bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance, and a refund of pension deductions taken from medically boarded soldiers’ salaries.
However, Matawalle stated that the government has began paying military wage hikes, and military members have already begun to get payment notices.
“President Bola Tinubu released funds for the payment of pension and other entitlements owed to retired military personnel on Thursday,” according to a statement.
He commended the President for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of both serving and retired military personnel, emphasizing that the payment of pension arrears owed to retirees would continue to receive critical attention.
