Ibraheem A. Fatai & Diana Nwachukwu
17 November 2008
Ex-servicemen under the footbridge at Wuse Zone 3 Shopping complex, Abuja, yesterday called on the Defence Headquarters' to end their suffering by calling on the Military Pensions Board to pay their outstanding pensions.
The ex-servicemen, who were retired on medical grounds, made their appeal through retired Cpl. Stephen Ajuah.
Ajuah said that most of those staying under the bridge have not received their pensions for close to three decades.
"We call on all stakeholders, President Yar'adua and well-meaning Nigerians to help us appeal to the Military Pensions Board on our gratuities before we die," he lamented.
He said most of the ex-soldiers under the bridge have genuine papers, adding that any time they present them to the relevant authorities; they do not get positive reactions from the board.
"Those in the Board should fear God and remember that one day they will retire and become ex-servicemen like us," he stated.
Reacting to the allegations, the Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, Brigadier-General B.V.T Kwaji, represented by the Board's Spokesperson, Flight-Lieutenant Promise Gbenekanu, debunked all the allegations.
According to him, any ex-serviceman who has genuine document should bring it forward and If it is verified and found to be genuine, such a person will be paid.
"Most of them did not serve for the mandatory 15 years before they left. And as such, they are not qualified for pensions," he explained.
He said the medically boarded ex-servicemen currently enjoying monthly pension were considered on humanitarian ground.
He further added that those who claim to be next of kins to late ex-servicemen, have no right to receive pensions of their late relatives, since pension, as he put it, is for the living alone.
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