The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, says the welfare of all Officers and Men of the Agency is his top priority.
The CG made this passionate declaration after declaring open the National Pension Interactive Forum, at the Civil Defence Academy, Sauka, Abuja.
Commandant Pension Unit NSCDC, Commandant David Abi, in his welcome address, disclosed that on assumption of office on August, 2016, the Unit was saddled with myriads of problems which was tackled headlong and by God grace today, the story now is positive as the PENCOM and the various Pensions Fund Administrators assisted immensely to make right the situation.
David again revealed that the verification exercise for Retirees was a huge success. For those who due to some circumstance could not be verified have another chance provided by PENCOM, to hold in Abuja, on 30 November, 2016.
He thanked the Pension Fund Administrators for the capacity building held for the Corps Personnel in the Pension Unit to keep them updated on current trends in the Pension world.
Certificate of Service will henceforth be issued to the retired and retiring Officers and Men of the Civil Defence. Again, Personnel who served in the VOLUNTEER ERA are entitled to their accrued rights, and the modality for settling them will be communicated shortly.
Further, starting from New Year 2017, Personnel of the NSCDC who are to be retired must embark on compulsory 3months retirement leave.
Commandant Abi, furthermore, revealed that a proposal by Pension Unit to the Management for the NSCDC retirees to be provided with ID cards as Senior Citizens, has been presented for consideration and approval. Pre-retirement training is now scheduled by God grace to commence from April, 2017.
The Commandant General noted, that contrary to the rumour that the NSCDC Management is unmindful of the plight of the Personnel, beckoned on the Officers and Men to discountenance such negative thought, maintaining that, the Management is very committed to Staff welfare and has also resolved that as the Ministry of Finance releases funds, the Management will pay the shift allowance arrears and promotion arrears owed the Officers and Men with immediate effect. However, for the promotion arrears, no Personnel will be paid beyond One Grade Level in line with the Public Service Rule.
The Leader of the Civil Defence said, ” I am very committed to Staff welfare, as this from the beginning, is my top priority and will always be ”.
The Corps helmsman highlighted that the Pension Unit of the NSCDC will be upgraded to a full Department in order to handle effectively and efficiently Pension Matters of the Personnel.
Gana explained that this upgrade is necessary at a time like this, and is very timely, as this is to position the Pension Unit which is now to become a full Department ahead for the future, to ensure that whenever Officers and Men retire at their various due retirement time, they will receive their entitlements with ease.
The representatives of the Pension Fund Administrators present at the session assured the Corps of their cooperation on payment of Personnel retirement entitlements as at when due.
Meanwhile, the interactive session was to prepare Personnel towards retirement and for them to interact with the various PFAs, and also, for the Officers and Men to know what is expected of them before the due time.
ACC EMMANUEL OKEH
CDPRO