By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) says it has set a September target to round off verification of pensioners who retired from the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).
Executive Secretary of PTAD, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme stated this at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja during the verification exercise.
According to her, a total of 831 pensioners were handed over the Directorate with due documentation to show that they retired from the BOA.
“In total we have 831 pensioners from the Bank of Agriculture who retired under the Defined Benefit Scheme and PTAD will soon take over the responsibility of their monthly pension payment.
“Our target is to wrap up this exercise by September so that these pensioners can state getting their benefits without delay.
“So far, we have verified 101 pensioners in SouthWest, and the current verification for the north which is taking place in Abuja and Kano centres simultaneously, we are looking at verifying about 468 or even more,” she explained.
Dr. Ejikeme further noted that the Agency will soon go to South South and South East to round off the verification process which is projected to end by September.
Commenting on the process, a retiree of the Bank, Barr. Salihu Momoh expressed optimism that the PTAD saddled with the responsibility of paying pensioners under the DBS will adequately accommodate his colleagues, while appealing for prompt payment of their monthly benefits.