Niger Governor Assures Workers on Contributory Pension Schemes

Niger Governor Assures Workers on Contributory Pension Schemes
Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has assured workers in the state of the administration’s commitment to ensuring that Contributory Pension Schemes takes into consideration interest of all stakeholders.

Governor Sani Bello made the pledge in his address at 2017 May Day Celebration in Minna.

The Governor called on workers to be optimistic about the scheme adding that an Executive Bill has been sent to the State House of Assembly in order to address all identified anomalies.

“We are also aware of your apprehensions and skeptisms about the contributory pension scheme. Let me use this opportunity to allay your fears and to reassure you that we shall do everything humanly possible to protect your interests, to this effect; we have thoroughly deliberated with all stake holders in the pension issues and sent an Executive Bill to the State House of Assembly to address all anomalies in the previous process. “

Governor Sani Bello who disclosed that government will now pay 10.5% as against the former 7.5%, while the workers will continue to contribute only 7.5%, he further noted that in new arrangement, the scheme would affect only workers who have spent less than 20 years as at 2007.

“As we await the outcome of the bill, let me at this juncture make it clear that the contributory pension scheme shall only be applicable to workers who have put in less than 20 years as at the commencement of the scheme in 2007. The former will continue on the defined benefit scheme. In the new arrangement, government is to pay 10.5% while affected workers will continue to pay 7.5% as it was before now. I therefore urge all retirees and the working class to exercise more patience with us.”

He said the Government has so far released up to N2.6 Billion for the payment of outstanding pension and gratuity liabilities in the state and have also directed that salary related issues be placed on first line charge.
Jibrin Baba Ndace
Chief Press Secretary
Ist May 2017