FG meets aggrieved ex-servicemen, promises improved welfare

FG meets aggrieved ex-servicemen, promises improved welfare

The Federal Government has met with aggrieved military veterans, following their threats to picket the Defence Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence.

The PUNCH had reported that the veterans threatened to protest the FG’s failure to pay outstanding arrears from the consequential minimum wage during former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration; and end disparity in pensions among other demands.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, the Director of Press, Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, said the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, assured the veterans of the FG’s commitment to providing better welfare for them and their families.

He stated that the FG was working on an existing structure that would be all-inclusive, regarding the welfare of the veterans and their families.

Speaking on the security debarment allowance, the minister stated that the SDA would be paid in two trenches adding that palliatives would be made available to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

Also, the National Health Insurance scheme is being reviewed to cover the Veterans among others.

He said the Minister set up a five-man committee to engage with the ministry on the realisation of improved welfare for the veterans.

The statement partly read, “To drive the process of achieving the all-inclusive welfare package for the veterans, the minister directed that a 5-man committee from the fifteen different associations be set up to drive further engagements with the ministry which will further strengthen the way forward.”

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, said that the approved SDA by the government has been given to the Military Pensions Board for onward payment to the veterans.

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