Retirees’ demobilization allowance protests lack merit – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued a warning to retired personnel who are protesting the non-payment of their demobilization allowance, instructing them to vacate the premises of the Ministry of Finance in Abuja, as their ongoing protest is deemed to be without merit.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, delivered this warning on Thursday in Abuja during a briefing with journalists regarding the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) notes that numerous retired military personnel have, on multiple occasions, obstructed the main entrance of the Ministry of Finance in Abuja, demanding the payment of their outstanding entitlements.

Despite appeals from the military, the veterans have remained steadfast, asserting that their gratuities, debarment allowances, and other dues must be settled before they will leave.

Kangye stated that the veterans' ongoing protest at the premises not only lacks justification but also interferes with governmental operations at the Finance Ministry.

He further clarified that before the implementation of the minimum wage, there existed two separate charts for calculating soldiers' gratuity and debarment allowance, in addition to the chart for the minimum wage.

“The first chart was what we call pre minimum wage chat which was effective 1st January 2024 to 28th July 2024.

“This was the chart based on which some retired soldiers or retired military personnel emoluments were being calculated. Then the second chart was the real minimum wage chart which took effect from July 29, 2024 to date.

“Gratuity and security debarment allowance for military personnel is calculated based on the salary chart on the effective date of retirement.

“So if a soldier is retired today, the subsisting chart that his involvement will be calculated will be based on the chart today. If tomorrow another chart comes out that soldiers’ involvement will not be calculated based on that.

“Unfortunately, those soldiers who retired from 1 January 2024 to 28 July 2024 before the implementation of the new minimum wage wanted their gratuity and security debarment allowance to be calculated based on the new minimum wage chart.

“This cannot be done because the policy of the new minimum wage came into effect on 29 July.

“Thus, soldiers who fall within the category of pre minimum wage charts are those soldiers who continually protest and construct barricades at the Federal Ministry of Finance despite being educated on the two charts by Defense Headquarters,” he said.

The spokesperson for the defense stated that although the military recognizes the veterans' right to engage in legitimate protest, he urged them to approach it with care.

He emphasized that it is important to reiterate that government policies have specific dates for implementation, and this situation cannot be treated as an exception.

“Therefore, the action of those soldiers is seriously affecting the smooth conduct of activities at the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“The Defence Headquarters acknowledges freedom of legitimate protest, but the veterans are strongly advised to tread with caution and vacate the premises of the Federal Minister of Finance in order to pave the way for normal government functions to seamlessly be conducted at the Ministry,” he added.