Retired Officers block Finance Ministry over unpaid pensions allowance
Retired Officers block Finance Ministry over unpaid pensions allowance
The entrance to the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, have been blocked by scores retired Nigerian soldiers on Thursday protesting alleged delays in releasing funds to the Military Pensions Board (MPB) for payment of their outstanding entitlements.
The pensioners said the fresh protest followed the failure of ministry officials to honour an earlier promise that their benefits would be cleared by August 10.
The ex-servicemen had suspended a similar demonstration on August 4 after a meeting with the Ministries of Defence and Finance, where assurances were given that the backlog would be addressed.
One of the protesters, identified as Mama G, said the renewed action was driven by government’s failure to deliver on its commitments.
“We are here because the promises made to us were never fulfilled. We had no choice but to return to the streets. This time around, the protest will be massive,” she said.
Retired soldiers have repeatedly staged protests in Abuja and other cities in recent years, citing delayed pensions and accusing authorities of neglect.
As of press time, the Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters, and the Military Pensions Board had not responded to the latest demonstration.
