Anambra govt probes unpaid pensions of local councillors, teachers

The Anambra State government has commenced investigations into the unpaid pension funds of local government workers and primary school teachers in the state.

The state Head of Service, Mrs. Theodora Igwegbe, stated this at a Workshop on Contributory Pension Scheme organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress on Wednesday in Awka.

Igwegbe said the state government was not suspending the scheme.

He said that all salary deductions for regional government employees and elementary school teachers for the period July 2014 to 2018 were not paid to the Pension Fund Management Agency (BPPN).

HoS said: “This is one of the issues I faced when I came into office and the governor has set up a committee to look into what is happening in terms of workers’ welfare and also find out who is holding the funds.

“I assure you that when the committee completes this task, the truth will be revealed and the funds will be returned to the PFA.

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“Also, from 2018 to 2022, the government did not pay its matching funds and the governor directed the Accountant General’s office to start paying the 10 percent that should have come from the government to the PFA.

“The state government does not owe any PFA the 10 per cent contribution.

“The issues we are facing are at the council and the primary school, therefore, investigations are still ongoing to find out what happened and where the money went.”

Igwegbe stressed the need for the state House of Representatives to amend the Pension Reform Act.

“Anambra enacted its own Pension Law in 2013 and now there are gaps.

“Soon, the pension reform law in the state will be reviewed in accordance with the Federal Law for smooth implementation,” he added.

Anambra Govt probes unpaid local council workers, teachers pension fund first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.