BUJUMBURA, April 3rd (ABP) – “Retirees in Bujumbura province want to be paid the pension promised by the state”, stated Athanase Ntimpirangeza, president of the association of retirees living in the Ntahangwa commune, Bujumbura Mayorship.
According to Ntimpirangeza, the Head of State, during his investiture, promised to increase the allowances granted to pensioners. Five years will soon pass without those allowances being paid. He reiterates his hope that that measure will be implemented as soon as possible, so that retired people can meet their daily needs, given that the sum they are currently receiving does not enable them to make ends meet.
From the Ministry of Solidarity, Ildephonse Majambere, who is in charge of communication, announced that a superstructure committee for the implementation of that law is at work. It has already identified the existing funds in certain institutions responsible for granting pensions to retirees, such as INSS and ONPR. The existing funds need to be increased so that that application of the law can be put in place, and the process is underway. He pointed out that there is a category of pensioners who receive a pension of less than 30,000 Burundi francs. Their pensions therefore need to be increased. He ended by asking pensioners to hand in their pension cards so that he could finally carry a health insurance card, which would allow him to benefit from free health care while awaiting the outcome of that matter.