The National Pension Commission (PENCOM) said it had established six zonal offices in the country as part of efforts to decentralise its activities.
The Acting Director-General of the commission, Ms Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, stated this at the official inauguration of the North-West zonal office of the commission in Kano on Thursday.
She said establishing the zonal offices in all the six geo-political zones of the country was also necessary in order to bring the commission closer to contributors and retirees.
“It is also a deliberate attempt to encourage and facilitate compliance by the states in line with the decision taken by the National Council of States in 2006.
“With our presence in the North-West zone now, we expect the state governments to renew their commitment by ensuring the speedy implementation of the CPS in order not to shut out their citizens from the benefits of a hassle-free retirement.’’
She called on all stakeholders to avail themselves of the services of the commission by visiting the offices to make enquiries, lodge complaints and seek enlightenment on the contributory pension scheme.
“Due to our renewed focus on efficient service delivery, we seek to reduce the need for contributors and retirees to travel from various parts of the country to Abuja in order to access our services,’’ she said.
According to her, the commission was considering the possibility of allowing contributors to utilise part of their Retirement Saving Account balances to part-finance the acquisition of homes.
“This will be done within the context of government’s efforts at revolutionalising the mortgage and housing sector.
“It is our expectation that when the initiatives are eventually finalised, contributors from states that have fully implanted the scheme will be allowed to draw these benefits,’’ she said.
In his remarks, Gov. Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano State, said the state government would partner with the commission to ensure effective service delivery.
Also in his remarks, the CBN Gov., Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, pledged continuous support to the commission to enable it discharge its responsibilities effectively.
