Gov. Ortom charges Benue PENCOM to end retirees woes

By Jimin Geoffrey

Governor Samuel Ortom has charged the Chairman and newly inaugurated Members of the Benue State Pension Commission, PENCOM, to quickly swing into action and bring an end to the woes of retirees in the state.

He gave the charge today at the New Banquet Hall of the Benue Peoples House Makurdi while swearing in the Chairman and other members of the Commission.

The Governor stated that those inaugurated were appointed to help domesticate the National Contributory Pensions Scheme Act 2004 of the Federal Government in the state with a view to permanently addressing the challenge of nonpayment of retirement benefits, pensions and gratuities to retirees in the state.

He congratulated the members on their appointments, stressing that as capable and competent administrators who had distinguished themselves in former tasks assigned to them, he was optimistic that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by his administration.

Governor Ortom warned them to be wary of saboteurs who may be handy to sabotage their efforts with the aim of amassing wealth, pointing out that he was happy that most of the members were retirees who had felt the brunt of the problem they were appointed to address.

While appreciating the 8th Benue Assembly for assiduously acting on the PENCOM Law, the Governor expressed optimism that in no distant time, the Benue retirees would have cause to smile home after retirement, adding that states that have already domesticated the Act have positive stories to tell.

Chairman of the Commission and former Head of Service in the state, Mr. Terna Ahua who responded on behalf of other members, assured the Governor of their commitment to ensure a permanent solution to the problem of retirees.

Other members of the PENCOM include Mrs. Ruth Ijir, Commissioner in charge of Administration and Technical Services, while Messrs Joseph Venda and Pius Idoko are to serve as Commissioners in charge of Technology and Pension administration as well as Finance and Investments respectively.