Ex-army chief in plea for living pension rate
8th June 2011
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Retired chief of defence forces (CDF)
General Mirisho Sarakikya yesterday asked the government to increase the
amount of pension paid to retired soldiers of the Tanzania People’s
Defence Forces (TPDF), which reflects the current costs of living.
He was speaking here at the launch of a union of retired soldiers.
He said despite having had a high post in
the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces, he was getting 50,000/- per
month, which was far from enough.
“This amount is very low under the
current situation where the costs of living is very high compared to
what retired soldiers get. This is what makes them to live difficult
lives,” he said.
The retired TPDF official further asked
the government to review the pension pay scheme so it should reflect the
current realities.
He however asked retired TPDF soldiers to
ensure that they engage in income-generating projects in an effort to
uplift their social and economic well-being.
Sarakikya also underscored the need for soldiers to work according to ethics.
“I wonder how these days people came up
with palatial homes, and yet their salaries are just normal. This
implies that they are engaging in corruption,” he said, adding that
during his service, which ended in 2004, he served diligently.
He further revealed that the retired TPDF
solders union had 512 members in Arusha region and about 12,000 members
across Tanzania.
Retired lieutenant Geofrey Wapalila, who
is the regional chairman of the union, asked the government to come up
with a system whereby retired soldiers should be given first priority
when it comes to employment in private security firms.
He said retired solders were required to play their role in ensuring that security was maintained in the country.
The union also asked the government to assist them to get an office, areas for agriculture and livestock keeping.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
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