PTAD captures 1, 225 pensioners in Anambra verification

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) on Sunday announced that a total of 1, 225 pensioners were verified in the just-concluded parastatals pensioner verification in Anambra state.

Team Leader for the Anambra state verification, Hajiya Amina Katune-Abdullahi, made the disclosure in an interview in Awka.

The ongoing nationwide verification embarked upon by the PTAD is to enhance payment of pensioner’s monthly entitlements and to rid the system of fraud.

In the South-East zone, the exercise started on August 26 and will end on September 4 in selected centres in Enugu, Awka and Owerri. At the Anambra state centre, the exercise lasted for only six days, from August 26 -31.

Katune-Abdullahi revealed that the exercise which was held from 7a.m. to 5 p.m. daily was able to capture many pensioners in the state, adding that “we had planned to attend to about 300 retirees daily, but on the first day, due to the rush, we attended to about 304 pensioners. The following day, we verified about 383 people.

“After the first two days, the number started decreasing. On Wednesday we attended to about 287. On Thursday 137, on Friday 103 and on Saturday which was the last day, we attended to only 11 pensioners.

“During the exercise, we ensured that the pensioners were comfortable. We even served lunch to those who were waiting to be attended to.

“Although, it was not easy but the pensioners cooperated with our officials from PTAD to ensure a seamless and hitch-free verification.”

Katune-Abdullahi said there was no record of next of kin verification in the state.