PTAD commences verification of NITEL, MTEL pensioners at Enugu

Over 22, 000 ex-employees involved

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has commenced the verification of over 22,000 employees of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and its mobile arm MTEL with the aim of paying them their pension arrears.

The Executive Secretary of PTAD, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, disclosed this in Enugu, while declaring open the NITEL/MTEL Pensioner Verification Exercise on Wednesday.

Ikeazor noted that the directorate received authority to gather relevant information on the nature and status of outstanding pension liabilities of the pensioners of these agencies from the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE).

She explained that the verification would go through some processes, which would last for months after carrying out series of checks and auditing at various levels before payment would be made.

“The verification will be done in seven centres, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kano, Gombe, Abuja, Lagos 1 and Lagos 2; while it will last for eight days at each centre.

“The documents the pensioners should come with are all specified in the advert, as well as official communication sent to the various branches of NITEL/MTEL pensioners’ union.

“Also, what next of kins should come with in addition to the normal documents had been specified through the channels of communication as well,’’ she said.

According to her, “We have collected the phone numbers of sick pensioners and their contact; since our staff will do mobile verification for them by going to where they are to capture them.”

She noted that PTAD had made adequate arrangement for the exercise; while it had been going on smoothly already at various centres across the country.

One of the pensioners, Mr. Francis Umeh, former Deputy General Manager of NITEL, South-East Zone, thanked the Federal Government for treating pensioners kindly and courteously.

“Every pensioner here feels at home; from the entrance, staff and officials are there to direct you properly and when you enter a seat and water is given to you instantly as a sign of welcome.

“We are seating in shades and given a good launch meal; while the photocopying services are here as well,’’ Umeh said.

A former NITEL staff, Mr. Kalu Nwankwo commended the procedure adopted for the verification exercise.

“I must admit that the days of pensioners fainting on queues are over. I must appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for his care and love for senior citizens,’’ Nwankwo said.