Determined to stop the problems associated with pensioners in the country, an organisation under the aegis of Sigma Pension Limited has paid over N60 billion to over 10,000 retirees in terms of normal benefits, temporary loss of jobs and death benefits.
The Managing Director of Sigma Pensions Limited, Umaru Modibbo, while disclosing this at the Annual Retiree Forum in Minna, Niger State, said the money is in terms of normal benefits, temporary loss of jobs and death benefits.
This was to remedy the 2004 Pension Reform Acts that the Nigerian government did not fund very well and which resulted into not paying retirement benefits as and when due.
Umaru, who was represented by the Executive Director of Pensions, Bala Bello, said: “SPL is one of the leading Pension Funds Administrators in Nigeria, both in terms of Assets under Management and number of registered contributors as well as number of retirees being paid monthly pensions.
Bello promised that the SPF will continue to do it timely and efficiently in a manner that will bring smiles on the faces of the retirees.
Speaking to journalists, Bello said: “The main reason we are here is to ensure that people who have signed on with SPF and are about to retire are guided in the process so that as soon as they retire their benefits are ready and paid into their accounts without any delay.
“We have been going from one state to another for retiree forum for quite number of states and it will continue until we cover the 36 states of the federation to reduce hassles.’
Bello said the scheme is for both the public and private sector, adding that “as long as the individual is an economically active person, he should try as much as to key into the scheme.”
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of Niger State Pension Board, Benu Yahaya, said the state has performed very well in pension related matters, coming third nationally.
Accordingly Yahaya said: “As I am talking to you now, Niger State has fulfilled all its part in the pension scheme.