PTAD E.S. MEETS ASSOCIATION OF FEDERAL HEALTH PENSIONERS OF NIGERIA
The Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr Chioma Ejikeme has stated that the implementation of the Parastatals Pension Department (PaPD) Back End Computation Project across the 270 agencies under the department was to correct pension payment anomalies like overpayment and underpayment and was based on a pensioner’s career record captured during the 2019 nationwide open-field verification exercise alongside relevant salary structure and applicable pension increments.
The Executive Secretary who stated this during the quarterly meeting held with the Association of Federal Health Pensioners of Nigeria (AFHPN) at PTAD headquarters, Abuja, again explained that the pension payroll with10,155 pensioners inherited by PTAD in 2015 showed 42% were underpaid while 56% were overpaid using non-pensionable components. With the implementation, equity has been restored and complaints reduced.
Dr Ejikeme however complained that most of the letters dispatched to the affected pensioners giving a comprehensive breakdown of their pension computation were returned undelivered due to incorrect address provided during verification.
She used the opportunity to assure the association that mobile and in-house verification for pensioners who missed the field verification especially those in the diaspora can visit PTAD office in Lagos or Abuja for verification. Diaspora pensioners who are unable to return for verification should visit PTAD website, www.ptad.gov.ng and complete the forms applicable to their location which will enable the Directorate plan for their verification.
She encouraged them to continue sensitizing their association about the “I Am Alive” confirmation solution which has replaced the field verifications for pensioners on PTAD payroll.
On the complaint of non-payment of pension arrears, she requested the association to submit the list of affected pensioners along with the relevant bank statement.
Responding, the President of the Association, Mr Danjuma Yaks congratulated the E.S. on her reappointment and thanked her for the commitment expressed by her and her team to review and resolve all complaints received with regards to the back-end computation especially as it affects severed pensioners.
The association offered to collaborate with the Directorate to make sure their members who’s letters were returned, get them.
The association also used the opportunity to introduce the recently constituted Executive Council.