We’re poised to change pensioners’ plight – PTAD boss

…..Recovers N16bn funds, assets in one year
The Executive Director of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Sharon Ikeazor has said that the agency, under her leadership, is poised to change the plight of pensioners in Nigeria and restore their dignity as senior citizens.

Ikeazor maintained that since assumption of office exactly a year now, PTAD’s focus has been on prompt monthly payment of pensioners and ridding the system of fake beneficiaries.

The ES stated this at a stakeholders’ forum on Friday, in Abuja, when she marks one year in office with pensioners and interest groups under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

She explained that when she took over the mantle of leadership, the agency received over 50,000 complaints from pension and other related administrative issues, but with dedication and hardwork, “a substantial number of these complaints have been resolved.”

According to her, we inherited 21,000 payroll bugs after the first round of the verification exercise, it came down to 16,000. She said, “This is the last verification that will be done.”

Ikeazor also assured Delta Steel pensioners that PTAD would soon include them in the system adding “you will soon smile too.”

In an effort to reposition the directorate to live up to its mandate, Ikeazor said she has recovered over N16 billion in both funds and assets for the agency.

According to the PTAD boss, NICON Insurance gave property worth N13bn, while N3bn was recovered in cash from other insurance firms.

But she stressed that if the ministry of Works and Housing evaluate the properties and the value did not worth N13bn, “We will go back to NICON insurance and claim more.

“We intend to recover more assets still withheld by some insurance companies. PTAD has zero tolerance for corruption,” she warned.

Our vision is to be the model organisation. We are carrying out total reform of the system, we have succeeded in implementing the automation payment system and pensioners received money directly from CBN.”

She added that PTAD does not operate account with any commercial bank which makes it easier for the pensioners to get their monthly payment promptly.

The paramilitary agencies have received 100 per cent of their 33 per cent increment arrears assuring that they are working round the clock to pay others that are yet to receive, the Executive Secretary stated.

The directorate has embarked on nationwide verification exercise across the six geopolitical zones of the country to authenticate the database of pensioners, which she said, led to the discovery of over 15,000 ghost pensioners.

“We are working in collaboration with Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to tackle fraud,” she stated.

On the future plans, she said that the directorate would work closely with the office of the Accountant General of the Federation to ensure prompt payment.

Meanwhile, the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris said that the ongoing transformation in PTAD was commendable urging the management to continue with the good work.

He however, advised that the agency should focus fight against corruption to making sure that the bad eggs within the system are eroded.

Earlier in her remarks, the Director General of National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Mrs. Aisha Dahir-Umar commended PTAD for the ongoing transformation of the DBS and ensuring prompt payment of pension monthly.

She said that the coming of Ikeazor has changed the plight of pensioners under PTAD.

The DG, who was represented by Mr. Mohammed Bello Umar, Director, Health and Compliance, PENCOM, assured PTAD of continued support and cordial working relationship for the benefit of pensioners.

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja