The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reiterated its commitment to ensuring prompt pension service delivery to retired and retiring officers.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, gave the assurance, while the launching the Operational Manual by the FCT Area Councils Service Pension Board at the ongoing 5th Pension Management System Retreat, on Thursday in Abuja.
The theme of the retreat was, “Operational Manual: An Administrative tool for efficient pension delivery.”
Represented by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, Aliyu said that the FCT Administration place high premium on welfare of retiring officers, and will continue to emphasise the importance of prompt pension service delivery.
She said that the launch of the operational manual would enable the administration galvanise staffers of all agencies under the FCTA, and in particular the Pension Board towards delivering efficient pension service to residents of the territory.
She added that in its pursuit of efficient pension service delivery, the FCT Administration has been consistent in remitting the 2.5 per cent FCTA contribution to the board to sustain payments to it revered senior citizens.
Aliyu said, “The FCT Administration is among the very few states where payments to pensioners have been prioritized.
“Payment of pensioners allowances for the month of Dec. 2022 is awaiting approval now, and for you to appreciate this, staff salary for Dec. 2022 has not even gotten to my office, but pensioners allowances had already gone for approval.
“That shows the priority that FCTA attaches to the welfare of the senior citizens. So, we have shared commitment to improve our service delivery to our pensioners.”
Aliyu commended the FCT Area Councils for their efforts in sustaining their payment of the 15 per cent pension funds to the board.
The minister expressed hope that the management of the board would in reciprocity, sustain the trajectory of prompt payment of benefits to retirees and beneficiaries of the deceased officers.
“It is a very great legacy that the Director is leaving behind, to sustain the good work he has done over the years, and to all the officers.
“I wish they will sustain the legacy already established to ensure efficient service delivery,” she stressed.
On his part, the Chairman, FCT Chapter of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Danladi Chiya, said the launch of the operational manual would ginger the Area Councils to do more in areas of remittance of pension contributions.
Chiya said: “This is also the same for the 15 per cent Area Council contribution to pension fund.”
He, therefore, assured the board that they have resolved to be proactive towards efficient pension delivery henceforth and would vigorouslu pursue remittances of pension deduction and employer contribution.
In his presentation, the Director of the board, Dr Danzing Nden, said the manual was a document for stakeholders, staffers and those who deal with the board to understand its operations and how to carry outu tasks efficiently.
Nden said, “Our expectation is that we would deliver pension services in timely manner and ensure that our clients are satisfied.
“Even though that we are not lagging behind, but we want to be on the top of our affairs.
“We want to maintain what we are doing in the FCT to see how senior citizens will enjoy pension services through offering world-class service that everyone will be proud of.
“And if you count one or two of the best pension boards in Nigeria, ours will be counted among them.”