Matthew Otoijagha
The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) paid N18.99 billion to verified pensioners between January and March, its Executive Secretary, Sharon Ikeazor has said, adding that 7,969 civil service pensioners would receive monthly pension payments.
In a statement, the Dictorate said the pensioners were verified in the South-West and North-Central in the fourth quarter of last year and had been paid their March pension.
The statement reads: “The addition of this group has improved the economic livelihood of pensioners who have been deprived of their rights for a long period; thus, further supporting the role of PTAD in making sure the labours of our heroes is not in vain. Before this addition, over 19,500 verified civil service pensioners from the Northwest, Southeast, Northeast and Southsouth had been reinstated and paid their arrears.
“Also ongoing is the computation of benefits for over 5,000 verified civil service pensioners. This will conclude the pay rolling of all verified civil service pensioners.’’
In January, the Civil Service Pension Department (CSPD) paid N2.215billion to 111,525 pensioners, 219 retired permanent secretaries and Heads of Service. In February, N2.216billion was paid and in March, N2.216billion was paid to pensioners, retired permanent secretaries and Heads of Service.
“For the Parastatals Pension Department (PaPD), which started verification of defunct and privatized agencies in Q4 2017, 98,259 pensioners were paid monthly pension of N4.097bilion in January 2018. For February, N4.134billion was paid to the pensioners, while N4.117billion was paid in March.
‘’For pensioners verified in Q4 2017 & Q1 2018 under the Parastatal Pension Department (FHA, NNN, NICON, Nigerian-Re, DSC & NITEL/Mtel), the accurate computation of their benefits is being made.
‘’Over 30,000 pensioners under the defined benefit scheme, who were yet to be pay-rolled over the years, have been cleared and added to PTAD payroll post verification of Civil service, Police, Customs, Immigration and Prisons pensioners across the country,” it said.