The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday warned retired personnel protesting the non-payment of demobilisation allowances to stop the unwarranted action and directed them to vacate the premises of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja.
Speaking with Defence Correspondents in Abuja on military operations against insurgency across various theatres of operation nationwide, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, said the veterans’ continued protest at the premises not only lacked merit but also disrupted government activities at the Finance Ministry, which would no longer be tolerated by the military high command.
The Director explained that before the implementation of the minimum wage, there were two charts for calculating soldiers’ gratuity and debarment allowance, in addition to the minimum wage chart.
According to him, “The first chart was what we call the pre-minimum wage chart, which was effective from 1 January 2024 to 28 July 2024. This was the chart used to calculate the emoluments of some retired soldiers. The second chart was the real minimum wage chart, which took effect from 29 July to date.
“Gratuity and security debarment allowance for military personnel are calculated based on the salary chart applicable on the effective date of retirement. So, if a soldier retires today, the subsisting chart will be used to calculate his entitlements. If another chart is introduced tomorrow, his entitlements will not be recalculated based on that.
“Unfortunately, those who retired between 1 January and 28 July 2024, before the implementation of the new minimum wage, want their gratuity and security debarment allowance to be calculated using the new minimum wage chart. This cannot be done because the policy only came into effect on 29 July.
“Thus, soldiers who fall within the pre-minimum wage chart category are the ones continually protesting and erecting barricades at the Federal Ministry of Finance despite being educated on the two charts by the Defence Headquarters.
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“It is necessary to reiterate that government policies have effective dates of implementation, and this case cannot be an exception.”
While acknowledging the veterans’ right to legitimate protest, Gen. Kangye advised them to proceed with caution, emphasising that their continued protest was “seriously affecting the smooth conduct of activities” at the Federal Ministry of Finance.
According to him, “The Defence Headquarters acknowledges the freedom of legitimate protest, but the veterans are strongly advised to tread with caution and vacate the premises of the Federal Ministry of Finance in order to allow normal government functions to be seamlessly conducted at the Ministry.”
Scores of retired military personnel had on several occasions blocked the main gate of the Ministry of Finance in Abuja, demanding unpaid entitlements, which the military high command insists lack merit.
