By Okosun Dennis
Military veterans on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest in Abuja seeking for the payment of the inconsequential minimum wage adjustment since 2019 and the Debarment Allowance from the Federal government.
The protest organised by Retired Members of the Armed Forces (REMENAF) led by one of the founding members, Comrade Anthony Agbas gathered around the Federal Ministry of Finance to call on President Muhammadu Buhari, who is also a veterans, to pay them all the allowances.
Displaying placards with different inscriptions, he observed that retired members of the Armed Forces have been unfairly treated in the area of welfare needs hence some of them have falling sick and die in the process.
Comrade Agbas explained that they are owed over 20 month’s arrears accruable from the minimum wage. In addition, he noted, the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) was also denied REMENAF members.
He wondered why some of their colleagues would be paid SDA and others left as if they didn’t acquire the same skills SDA allowance is meant to take care of.
It was learnt that in 2020 when the SDA was approved for payment by President Buhari, instead of paying every retired officer and soldier, they chose to pay those that left the service from November 9, 2017, to date hence the growing agitations to pay others who have committed their lives in the service of the nation.
Investigation revealed that Security Debarment Allowance is an amount paid to every military man on retirement to debar him/her not to use his skills acquired against the state.
Prior to today’s protest, Comrade Agbas had sent out a notice informing every member to maintain discipline that has been their hallmark.
“I want all to know that this is a collective struggle. We should maintain the discipline we are known for. Everybody must wear facemask. It’s a peaceful protest. No war of words and no name calling. We would gather in a location. We are senior citizens. Victory is ours by the grace of God”.
As the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration comes up on Friday, January 15, 2021, the expectations of every retired military personnel is for President Buhari to grant their request and approve payment of Security Debarment Allowance and the implementation and arrears of the new minimum wage approved in 2019.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/military-pensioners-protest-over-non-payment-of-minimum-wage-debarment-allowance/
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