PTAD pays N96bn to pensioners in one year

By Philip Clement

Vows to reclaim N44bn liabilities from underwriters

The Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr Chioma Ejikeme says the directorate has paid a total sum of N96 billion as pension arrears and gratuity in one year across all operational departments.

Ejikeme who disclosed this while addressing the newsmen in Abuja, also stated that the agency is working towards clearing pension arrears across the board.

Giving the breakdown of the payment, she explained that the N96 billion was paid between July 2019 and August 2020, as over N77billion was paid monthly as pensions to N244, 643 pensioners as at July 2020.

According to her, 87,842 pensioners were paid gratuities and arrears of over N19billion and the sum of over N670 million was paid to 418 Next of Kin of deceased pensioners,” She, however, debunked the insinuation that the Directorate is spending monies meant to be paid to NAHCO former staff.

“I want to debunk the news that PTAD is fraudulently spending money meant to be paid to ex NAHCO staff, there is nothing like that because the Directorate had already paid 306 former staff of NAHCO and payments will continue in the batches as the year progresses.

Speaking on some of the challenges faced by the PTAD, Ejikeme she stated that the liabilities in the hands of underwriters is overwhelming, adding that they are working towards solving the issue.

“We have about N44bn liabilities in the hands of underwriters and we are taking them to court, before 2023, we will pay liabilities.

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Asked of the personal ambition she wants to achieve before she leaves the Directorate, Ejikeme said “I plan that before I leave office, I want Nigerian pensioners to have life insurance,” On why minimum wage has not been implemented for pensioners, the PTAD boss explained that a committee has been set up to that regard and the Directorate is waiting for the recommendations.

Her words: “The National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission set up a committee to look into the issue of minimum wage and one of our directors is part of the committee, the Committee has concluded and now we are waiting for the salaries commission to advise us.

“However, I have been receiving enquiries from pensioners, and I want to state categorically that there is nothing like N30, 000 minimum pension,” she further said