WHEN the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) was launched, it was billed as the
panacea to the plight of pensioners. The truth, however, is that pensioners have been treated
as a grouping that should be eternally grateful for the crumbs falling off NSSA’s sumptuous
dining table.
And today the common cry is; “How loud and for how long must we wail in order for our
plight to receive appropriate attention and redress?”
Last week, we reported on pensioners crying out for improved service from NSSA. It is
utterly unacceptable that pensioners could be found spending the whole nights in a bank
queue hoping to access their pension pay outs. Enough is enough! They have endured this
disrespect and abuse for far too long.
This is a matter that affects many pensioners spread throughout the country. As reported last
week, pensioners are travelling to provincial capitals to collect their NSSA pensions only to
discover, much to their dismay, that the amounts are insufficient for them to afford their
transport fare back home.
It is probably for this reason that the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) has shared
dismay because there was more than $7 billion in uncollected pension benefits.
In trying to access the small amounts, the pensioners, in frustration, end up abandoning the
trouble of subjecting themselves to so much anguish that, in their old age, is boundto trigger
high blood pressure, hastening their departure from this world.
What is perhaps disconcerting is that NSSA has made public contributions to other causes,
along with extremely questionable investments. The question that has to be asked is whether
it is morally proper to be seen splashing donations, when the people who slaved their whole
lives are reduced to embarrassing levels of poverty, when they are unable to afford basics
enough for a whole week on their monthly pension pay outs?
NSSA says it has rolled out goat-rearing schemes for pensioners in six regions of the country;
would it not be better, reassuring for the nation to start seeing these schemes and the
beneficiaries instead of them being talked about?
Stories about the goings on at NSSA, which led to the suspension of senior figures at the
authority and an investigation being instituted, beg the question whether prudent management
of the funds could not result in better and liveable pension pay outs for senior citizens.
One of the tragedies is that none of the legislators appear vested and interested in the plight
of pensioners, yet one day, they too, will be pensioners, possibly queuing up for a NSSA
pension pay out.
One of the steps top get NSSA on the right footing, one that places pensioners at the centre of
what they do is redesigning the process under which holders of senior management positions
are recruited.
They could, for example, be subjected to a hearing, before a Parliamentary Committee so that
the candidates unpack their vision and plans about improving the plight of pensioners, and
above all how they can be entrusted with growing the NSSA pension funds for the good and
benefit of pensioners.
In this day and age, NSSA pay outs should lift pensioners out of destitution and not lock them
up in a poverty trap.
