The Military Pensions Board (MPB), has disclosed that it commenced payment of the second tranche of 25 percent of the arrears of minimum wage increments to eligible military retirees on Friday, May 6, 2022 and concluded the exercise on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
The MPB Chairman, Rear Admiral Saburi Abayomi Lawal, who made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday, said the payments were made to the various bank accounts of pensioners on the MPB payroll.
Consequently, he stated that all eligible military pensioners are advised to contact their banks for their entitlements.
According to him, “This payment is the second instalment being paid to eligible military retirees who are active on the Board’s database, and it is in fulfilment of the agreement reached between the Board and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (FMoFBNP) for quarterly releases of the appropriated sum in the first month of each quarter of this year”.
He said that these payments are basically for arrears of increment in pensions of military retirees who are on MPB payroll between April 18, 2019 and April 30, 2021, occasioned by the new National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2019, adding that all Next of Kins (NOKs) of deceased military pensioners who are entitled to these same arrears have been paid in full.
Furthermore, the Board Chairman informed the retirees and the general public, that the MPB is up to date in the payment of monthly pensions and gratuities to the military pensioners/retirees, and has fully settled the death benefits of all confirmed NOKs of deceased military personnel/pensioners.
“These accomplishments are made possible through the immense support the Board has continually received from the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Defence and the FMoFBNP, which has ensured regular releases of funds to the Board.
“On behalf of our esteemed military pensioners therefore, the Board wishes to thank President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for his immense support to the Board and military retirees. Also, the Board extends its appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Maj Gen BS Magashi (Rtd), the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen LEO Irabor as well as the Service Chiefs for their constant support to the Board towards meeting its constitutional mandates”, he said.
He assured the military retirees/pensioners, NOKs of deceased military personnel and other well-meaning Nigerians that the Board remains resolute and will ensure complete payment of the 24 months Minimum Wage arrears before the end of the year, subject to release of funds by the FMoFBNP, and thanked them for their patience, understanding and continued support.
