In a recent South-East Stakeholders Engagement Forum held in Awka, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), explained the rationale behind implementing the “I Am Alive Confirmation Solution” for pensioners’ verification. The agency’s primary objective is to transition from a manual to an automated verification system, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery while preventing website congestion.
To achieve these goals, PTAD has devised a staggered approach for utilizing the Confirmation Solution. The schedule is as follows: Police Pensioners from April 14 to October 13, 2023; Customs, Immigration, and Prisons Pensioners from June 1 to December 31; Civil Service Pensioners from July 1 to January 31, 2024; and Parastatals Pensioners from August 1 to February 28, 2024.
Dr. Ejikeme emphasized the importance of pensioners taking note of their respective department’s scheduled dates for the verification process. This measure aims to ensure a smooth flow of operations while catering to the needs of different pensioner categories.
The South-East Stakeholders Engagement Forum witnessed the attendance of pensioners and stakeholders from Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, and Anambra—the five states comprising the region. Reflecting on PTAD’s achievements since assuming her position four years ago, Dr. Ejikeme highlighted the significant progress made by the agency during its ten years of existence.
She stressed that no eligible pensioner should be excluded from the crucial verification exercise, determining their ongoing eligibility for pension benefits. In light of this, PTAD is conducting a survey to ascertain the number of pensioners residing in the United States of America, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Dr. Ejikeme urged pensioners in these countries to participate in the survey by visiting the PTAD website (www.ptad.gov.ng) and accessing the provided link.
Chief Godwin Abumisi, the President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), lauded PTAD’s transformative leadership, noting the improved treatment of pensioners compared to previous years. Abumisi specifically commended the “I Am Alive Confirmation Solution” initiative, emphasizing its role in alleviating the hardships pensioners face.
Mrs. Nneka Obiamulu, a director at PTAD, acknowledged the historical challenges surrounding the trust and interactions between pensioners and pension managers. However, she highlighted the considerable improvements achieved thus far. The agency has successfully addressed the substantial debt owed to pensioners, which arose due to verification and profiling difficulties encountered before the establishment of PTAD.
Mrs. Obiamulu further revealed that over 800 incapacitated pensioners had been visited at their homes and hospitals, with ongoing plans to enhance support and assistance in the future.
In conclusion, PTAD’s implementation of the “I Am Alive Confirmation Solution” aims to mitigate network issues during the verification process, ensuring a streamlined experience for pensioners. The agency’s commitment to inclusivity and service excellence remains unwavering, as evidenced by its efforts to reach pensioners in various countries and improve the overall well-being of retirees.
