This comes following complaints and growing concerns over the mismanagement of deductions intended for the pensions of retirees in these sectors.
Speaking at a workshop on the contributory pension scheme, organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Awka on Wednesday, September 11, Head of Service, Theodora Igwegbe, said the governor, Chukwuma Soludo has ordered a thorough investigation into the whereabouts of pension funds deducted from workers’ salaries.
She added that the state government did not suspend the scheme.
According to her, all the deductions from local government workers and primary school teachers from July 2014 and 2018 were not remitted to the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), which called to question the integrity of the system.
“This was one of the matters I was confronted with when I assumed office and the governor has set up a committee to look into what is going on in respect of workers’ welfare and also discover who is holding the funds.
“I’m assuring you that when the committee finishes this assignment, the truth will be unravelled and the funds will be recovered and returned to PFAs.
“Also, from 2018 to 2022, the government was not paying its counterpart fund, and the governor directed the office of the Accountant-General to start paying the 10 per cent that should be coming from the government to the PFAs,” she said.
She further noted that the state government is not indebted to any of the PFAs regarding the 10 per cent contributions.
“Where we have issues is in the council and primary schools; hence, the ongoing investigation to find out what happened and where the money is,” she said.
Igwegbe also said that there was a need for the Anambra House of Assembly to amend the Pension Reform Law.
“Anambra promulgated its own Pension Law in 2013 and now there are defects.
“Soon, the pension reform law in the state will be reviewed in line with the Federal Law for seamless implementation,” she added.
There have been growing concerns over the alleged mismanagement of deductions intended for the pensions of retirees in the state
On May 22, the Nigeria Labour Congress accused Soludo of attempting to divert public attention from the unpaid minimum wage and pension deductions by accusing state workers of blackmail.
A statement issued by the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, said the union vehemently rejected the blatant dissemination of falsehoods and overt attempts at blackmail, orchestrated to divert public attention from the genuine grievances of Anambra workers against the government.
Ajaero said labour needed to address the real issues raised by the NLC and TUC in their letter of ultimatum to the state government.
“Leaders have complained to the government and reached agreements that have not been implemented. The government’s refusal prompted workers to issue an ultimatum for compliance. We fully support this action and have informed all affiliates accordingly,” Ajaero stated.
According to the NLC leader, his remarks were not intended to disparage Soludo but to address concerns about labour policy implementation and worker issues.
“The government’s baseless accusations about a 2027 political ambition are a distraction. The administration should respect its workers and avoid such mudslinging. Governor Soludo, as a professor, should not permit such behaviour from his administration,” he noted.