Ignore negative allegations against PenCom DG, CSO tells Buhari

The Conference of Civil Society Organization has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore the allegations against Aisha David-Umar, director-general of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

There are reports that some civil society groups have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and are ready to mobilise “mass action” against PenCom over allegations of fraud.

In a statement issued at the weekend, Aisha Dahir-Umar, the director-general of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), had said the commission is ready to open its books for scrutiny.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, Declan Ihekaire, international coordinator of Concerned Human Rights of Nigeria, said the Civil Society Organizations has observed with worry the recent happenings at the National Pension Commission, where a group of persons have decided to embark on a campaign of calumny against Dahir-Umar on the frivolous allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement.

The CSOs had alleged that these groups of persons are trying either by hook or crook to hold the Commission to ransom for their selfish gains and interests.

“We have it on good and reliable knowledge that the agenda of these individuals is to deploy coordinated media attacks to draw the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari to remove the Director General PenCom despite her sterling achievements since her assumption of office in 2017,” the statement reads.

“However, one thing we are 100 per cent sure of is that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and the International community are very well aware of the transformational leadership that Mrs Dahir-Umar has brought to the Commission since the assumption of office.”

The organization went on to reell out the achievements of the commission under the watch of the DG which includes ;

1. The exponential growth of pension assets from N6.42 trillion in 2017 when she assumed office to N14.6 trillion as of October 2022 shows an increase of over 100 per cent in Nigeria’s pension assets.

2. Successful recapitalization of the pension industry from N1 billion to N5 billion. A move that has increased investor confidence in the sector.

3. Introduction of the Multi-Fund Structure in the investment of pension fund assets to address the investment appetite and preference of contributors and their age profile.

4. Approving a structured reduction of fees on the Net Asset Value of pension fund assets; and introducing the Micro Pension Plan for the participation of informal sector workers in the Contributory Pension Scheme.

5. Introduction of mortgage scheme for Retirement Savings Account Holders, the first of its kind that will enable RSA holders to use the balance of their RSA savings for mortgage, among many other brilliant innovations introduced by her.

6. The DG’s reforms led to the approval by Mr President towards the end of last year of the sum of N159.466 billion for the payment of outstanding accrued rights and other pension liabilities of the government’s retirees.

As such the Civil society organizations has resolved to pass a vote of confidence on the DG of PenCom and charged her not to be distracted by naysayers and selfish individuals who are out to stain her clean records at the Commission.

Lastly the CSO’s assured Nigerians of its resolve to expose the fellows who are out to destroy the National Pension Commission in a record time.