From Maurice Okafor,Enugu.
The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has lauded President Bola Tinubu for self-initiating pension increment and ensuring its full arrears’ payment to pensioners nationwide.
The Executive Secretary of PTAD, Dr Chioma Ejikeme, gave the commendation at the ongoing PTAD’s verification for pensioners of Federal Mortgage Finance Limited (FMFL) and Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) within South-East in Enugu on Tuesday.
Ejikeme said that all duly approved and verified pensioners under the directorate had received their pension increment arrears this August, “as initiated and authorised by our pensioners-friendly President Bola Tinubu”.
“What can proof the utmost interest of the welfare of pensioners by President Bola Tinubu is the fact that for the very first time, in the history of pension increments in Nigeria; President Tinubu initiatived the increment himself.
“Five years on the dot, for the periodic review, increment was made and arrears were paid and this is without the pensioners or pension unions asking, agitating or protesting for it.
“As it stand, we have already paid arrears of eight months of pension increment to all pensioners under out directorate scheme this 2024; because the last increment was in May, 2019.”
The executive secretary noted that PTAD treats pensioners with utmost respect and dignity they deserve, adding that before they call out pensioners for any verification; adequate arrangement would definitely be on ground for their welfare.
On the ongoing FMFL and FMBN pensioners’ verification in Enugu, Ejikeme said that it was ongoing smoothly, adding that the verification was meant to capture about 1400 pensioners nationwide – about 1,000 for FMBN and about 400 for FMFL.
She noted that after the verification; the pensioners would then be placed on the “I Am Alive” scheme confirmation of PTAD, which would guarantee their monthly pension payment by the time we are authorised to commence paying them.
Responding, one of the pensioners, Mr Innocent Onwuagha, said that the exercise had been seamless and friendly, adding that PTAD had provided comfort and dignity in the way it staff attended to them (pensioners).
Another pensioner, Mr Richard Arinze, appreciated and prayed for good health and wisdom for President Tinubu and the Executive Secretary of PTAD for taking care of their health, feeding and general welfare in the verification.
The pensioners are expected to come to the verification, which commenced from Aug. 12 to Aug. 29, 2024 in six ceentres in five geopolitical zones of the country, with their work documents, BVN with photo and NIN for identification.
