Date: 2019-11-15

The Federal Government has verified 11,363 pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) in the North Central region of the country.

The exercise was conducted recently by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Ilorin, Kwara State; Minna, Niger State; Lokoja, Kogi State and Jos, Plateau State.

PTAD's breakdown shows that Ilorin Centre had the highest number of verified pensions put at 3,453 followed by Lokoja Centre with 3,269 pensioners while Jos Centre had 2,895 and Minna Centre had 1,746.

A statement by PTAD indicated that the pensioners were treated with respect and empathy in addition to the comfortable environment where Pensioners were provided with lunch and medical facility to take care of any emergencies.

The Senate Committee Chairman on Establishment and Public Service, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau was at the Lokoja centre to monitor the exercise. He said he was satisfied with the verification processes and promised the support of the NASS to the Directorate.

The Executive Secretary, Dr. Chioma N. Ejikeme who monitored the verification expressed satisfaction with the outcome. The Directorate said the next phase of the verification exercise is scheduled to hold in Abuja from Monday, November 18, 2019.

"Pensioners who missed the exercise in their zone should take the opportunity of the Abuja verification exercise to be verified.

Pensioners do not need to be anxious about being verified as the Directorate has the capacity to verify all pensioners who present themselves within the period slated for the exercise," PTAD said.