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 “I Am Alive” confirmation’’ of PTAD  continues

Abuja, Feb 1, 2024: The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has extended the  ” I Am Alive” confirmation for  Civil Service Pension Department (CSPD) Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) by one month.

The Executive Secretary of PTAD, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme made this known  in a statement  by the Head of Corporate Communications Mr Gbenga Ajayi, on Wednesday in Abuja,

She urged those under the  CSPD whom are yet to confirm their aliveness using the “I Am Alive” confirmation to do so.

Ejikeme said that CSPD pensioners commenced the exercise in July 2023 with a six months window that they should confirm that they are still alive and should continue to receive their monthly pension directly to their bank account.

“ To make sure all pensioners in this category effectively participate in this exercise, Ejikeme have approved one month extension therefore moving the deadline for CSPD pensioners to confirm aliveness to February 29.”

“ With the extension, any CSPD pensioner who does not confirm aliveness will be dropped from the monthly pension payroll. They will be automatically restored to the payroll once they confirm aliveness.

“ Visit our website, www.ptad.gov.ng for the list of CSPD Pensioners yet to confirm aliveness. If your name is on the list, please click on this link: https://iamalive.ptad.gov.ng/ to complete your “I Am Alive” confirmation,” Ejikeme said.

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Tinubu’s N25, 000 wage award excites pensioners

Abuja, Oct. 6, 2023: The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving N25, 000 wage award as palliative for federal pensioners.

Mr Godwin Abumisi, National President of NUP, gave the commendation in an address to mark the 2023 Pensioners and Older Persons Day on Thursday in Abuja.

The theme for the celebration was, “Subsidy Removal and its Negative Effects on the Lives of the Pensioners/Older Persons.’’

According to Abumisi, the union is grateful to the Federal Government for its commitment to the welfare of the pensioners by graciously approving N25,000 as wage award to vulnerable pensioners.

“We trust that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs who is entrusted with the responsibility of handling the payment would expedite action on the payment.

“This is without further delay in order to assuage the pains and sufferings of the pensioners and the older persons.’’

He appealed to government to extend the payment of the wage award from three to six months as was done for other regular workers.

The NUP national president said that for any approved palliative to get to its members across board, government agencies should handle the disbursement.

Abumisi said that such agencies must have accurate database records containing the account details of all pensioners for easy access and delivery such as PTAD, PENCOM, among others.

“We consider the above channels as effective, seamless means of getting across to our members with any form of palliative,” he said.

He noted that NUP members were faced with lingering challenges that needed immediate solutions.

Abumisi said that the challenges included the non-harmonisation of pension and omission of 2015 pension review.

He said listed other challenges as the non-payment of arrears of pension increment of 15 per cent, 33 per cent and the consequential adjustment of 2007, 2010 and 2019.

Abumisi said that another challenge was the non-release of the timely monthly accrued rights to the contributory pensioners which had brought upon them untold hardship.

According to him, the total accumulated accrued rights stand at about N140 billion.

“We hereby call on the Federal Government for its timely intervention to save the souls of this category of pensioners from untimely death,” he said.

He also appealed to the president to expedite action on the payment of the outstanding balance of N33 billion to Nigeria Airways workers.

Abumisi said the theme of the event was apt and in tandem with the prevailing economic hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, among others.

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PTAD, NHIA collaborate to provide health insurance to pensioners

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Abuja, Sept. 26, 2023: The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) had held a follow-up meeting with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to fine-tune the modalities for the kick-off of the health insurance cover for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

Mr Gbenga Ajayi, PTAD’s Head of Corporate Communications, said in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

He said that the acting Executive Secretary of PTAD, Mr Sulayman Shelleng, stated that the collaboration with the NHIA would be leveraging on the ongoing “I Am Alive” confirmation exercise for all verified and pay-rolled pensioners to enroll pensioners.

Shelleng said that the directorate would commence the pilot programme with the DBS pensioners who were verified on the payroll and had successfully confirmed their aliveness status.

He said that the beneficiaries of the pilot phase would have access to basic health services through selected hospitals closest to the pensioners’ communities of abode.

Shelleng said The NHIA team, among other things, presented the modalities and timelines to actualize the enrolment of PTAD pensioners drawn from across the four operational departments.

He said that plans were further discussed around organising pensioners’ sensitisation in the pilot states of Kaduna and Oyo to ease the onboarding process for pensioners.

The acting executive secretary said that they also assured the PTAD team that they would work with the Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs).

Shelleng said that the HMOs would ensure that the Primary Health Care providers in the local communities delivered services empathetically to the DBS pensioners.

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Pensioners worst hit by fuel subsidy removal – NUP

Abuja, Aug. 27, 2023: Pensioners are worst-hit by galloping inflation that had set in after fuel subsidy removal, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners declared on Sunday in Abuja.

Head of its information unit, Mr Bunmi Ogunkolade, said that meagre pensions paid to retired persons had sent the cost of goods and services out of their reach.

“Pensioners go to the same markets as others; they are also a special breed because most of them are on regular drug regimens for age-related ailments.

“They are prone to high blood pressure, diabetes and other old age sicknesses. That is why we are always appealing to governments to take care of these special people.

“We want governments to always put pensioners into consideration whenever they are planning welfare programmes for workers.

“We want government to double payable pensions and provide free medical care for pensioners,’’ he said.

Ogunkolade also noted that Federal Government’s proposed palliatives to states to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy were temporary.

“What government is giving is temporary solution; palliatives for pensioners should be provided until the end of their lives.

“We want government to be explicit on what it would do to sustain pensioners beyond palliatives that are temporary.

It should also ensure that all pensioners receive living minimum pensions,’’ Ogunkolade said,

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PTAD unveils “I Am Alive” online solution for pensioners

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has unveiled the “I Am Alive’’ online confirmation solution to ease pensioners’ stress.

The Executive Secretary of PTAD, Dr Chioma Ejikeme, unveiling the solution in Abuja on Friday, said PTAD had kept to its promise that the era of bringing out aged pensioners for field verification was over.

Ejikeme said that the solution, which is an online application, was designed to enable pensioners under the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS) easily confirm their aliveness from the comfort of their homes using either a smartphone or a computer system.

She said that the pilot phase was largely successful as the teething challenges were identified and resolved, adding that PTAD was ready to fully roll-out the I Am Alive Confirmation (IAAC) solution to the pensioners.

“We believe this is a way forward as far as validation of the aliveness of our pensioners is concerned.

“We wish to use this opportunity to assure our esteemed pensioners that the “I Am Alive” confirmation solution has been designed with their utmost welfare in mind, leveraging on accuracy, reliability, user -friendliness and convenience,” Ejikeme said.

She said that the IAAC solution was available to all PTAD verified pensioners across the four Pension Departments, (Police Pensioners, Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pensioners, Civil Service Pensioners and Parastatals Pensioners).

According to Ejikeme the platform “is simple and easy to use” and the directorate has provided a short video for instructions.

“The application can be accessed using a smart mobile phone, a desktop or any computer device that has Internet access.

“The journey to test and provide this solution has taken PTAD over 18 months, they have been challenging months that stretched us as an organisation, as we worked to ensure that our service ethos of “Empathy” for our pensioners’ welfare is delivered.

“We are proud of our efforts and are hopeful that the solution will have a positive impact on our DBS pensioners as well as PTAD and the government in general,” Ejikeme said.

She said that the benefits of the IAAC solution to the DBS pensioners and the Federal Government were huge.

“Government funding of pensions will be accurately estimated as deceased pensioners are immediately removed from the payroll, funding for field verification will be completely eliminated

“Pensioners are no longer required to travel long distances with the attendant stress and inconvenience to attend verification exercises and the result of the IAAC solution is received via SMS to the phone of the pensioner,” the executive secretary said.

Ejikeme said that a six-month grace period had been given to the four departments and their pensioners to complete their IAAC solution.

She assured stakeholders that nobody could tamper with pensioners’ pension payment through the “I Am Alive” platform.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, in her remarks encouraged all the pensioners to enrol to the solution.

Ahmed represented by the Director, Human Resources in the Ministry, Mrs Omobola Olushola- Dada, commended the Directorate for unveiling the online platform for verification of pensioners.

Dr Stephen Fatusin, the Chairman, Southwest Zonal Congress of Pensioners, Federal College of Education (FCE) Section, commended the Directorate for all its efforts.

The pilot scheme of the “I AM ALIVE’’ online portal was inaugurated in October 2021 with 50,000 pensioners.

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PTAD set to unveil “I Am Alive” confirmation portal

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The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), says it would unveil “Am Alive” Confirmation solution on April 14, according to Mr Gbenga Ajayi, PTAD’s Head of Corporate Communications.

He said said in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, that the solution is an online platform for pensioners to periodically confirm that they are alive so that they can continue to receive their monthly pension.

“The I Am Alive confirmation portal/platform is designed to enable confirm that he or she is alive from the comfort of their homes or neighbourhoods, using a smart phone or computer system.

“When this is done, pensioners do not need to embark on stressful journeys for physical verification again,” he said.

Ajayi said that the solution would end tedious and expensive field verification.

He said that the solution has been tested by PTAD and it is ready to be fully deployed to take away the stress of continuous field verification for Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensioners who are already on PTAD’s payroll.

Ajayi said that “I Am Alive Confirmation” platform is very simple, safe and easy to use, as the pensioner can be assisted by a family member or friend to carry out the confirmation.

He said that pensioners will be required to log on to the PTAD website www.ptad.gov.ng in a well-lit environment and begin the process to confirm that they are alive.

PTAD inaugurated the “I AM ALIVE” Confirmation Solution in October 2021.

It commenced the pilot phase with 50,000 pensioners randomly selected from the four operational departments in the Directorate.

Pensioners

PTAD commits to pensioners’ welfare

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate(PTAD) has reiterated commitment to the welfare of pensioners’ across the country.

Mr Gbenga Ajayi, PTAD’s Head of Corporate Communications, said in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the the newly elected executive members of the National Association of Retired Paramilitary Officers (NARPO), led by the President, Alhaji Musa Kayode, paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary  (ES) on June 14.

Quoting the ES, Dr Chioma Ejimeke, saying that PITAD had zero-tolerance to pension fraud.

She added no staff of the directorate would call and request for payment from a pensioner before rendering any service, while calling on pensioners to report such fraudulent activities to PTAD.

The ES extended her appreciation to NARPO for their patience and the manner in which they conducted themselves when they had some complaints yet unresolved by the directorate.

In the statement, NARPO President, said that the purpose of the visit was to introduce themselves to the ES after their election.

Kayode also solicited the same support and collaboration the ES had extended to the past executives, promising to serve as worthy intermediaries between PTAD and its members.

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Pensioners hail use of technology-driven verification

Pensioners in the South-East have lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the use of technology-driven verification to stamp out all forms of stress in the pension system.

The pensioners gave the commendation at the launch of “Am Alive” Application by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) in the South-East in Enugu on Friday.

They were of the view that President Buhari has continued to accord pensioners unprecedented respect and commitment to their welfare throughout his administration.

Chief Temple Ubani, President-General of Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, said that Buhari had changed the tide and system of pension administration by the singular act of approving technology to assist the system.

“It is clear that our amiable President is continually thinking on how to better our lots and this will be further achieved by the ‘Am Alive’ application that can be operated in the comfort of our homes.

“Operating the Am Alive application is so simple with a few steps you are through and given a confirmation,” Ubani said.

Mr Edwin Ofoegbu, Chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Enugu State, said that Buhari’s administration through PTAD had changed the pension system administration to the extent that we have a clear departure from the recent past.

Ofoegbu said that the Am Alive application is such a transformational initiative, adding that those days of traveling from one’s home to a far destination for verification are over.

“Slumping of pensioners on queue is over as well as pensioners being stranded, turning into destitute and beggars in the city for their verification is over.

“At least in my lifetime, I have seen the ‘Change’ President Buhari has promised through the new way and how senior citizens of this great country are treated fairly, with respect and love,” he said.

Mr Emma Adu, National Secretary of NITEL/MTEL Pensioners, thanked the Federal Government through PTAD for coming up with an application “so easy and less cumbersome’’ that elderly people can relate to.

“We salute President Buhari for the changes we have been seeing as pensioners, being spear-headed by PTAD.

“The latest being the Am Alive application, which is an innovation worth millions as far as we are concerned as pensioners.

“The thought, burden of traveling and even some uncertainties at the pension verification centres have been lifted from us with the Am Alive application,” Adu said.

In an address, the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Dr Chioma Ejikeme, said that the Am Alive application is a giant step meant to reduce the stress of pensioners going forward; while confirming whether an individual pensioner is alive or not.

“With the Am Alive application, you can do your verification in the comfort of your home and it will hit the PTAD data-base simultaneously; thus, a stress-free, seamless, concise and friendly technological app all pensioners can relate to.

“Today’s launch of the application is a test run to determine its workability; while the pensioners here today would act as those that will train their fellow colleagues.

“In every community you must find or have people using simple android phones that you can use to enter our website and fill up the simple requirements and get your confirmation at the end,” Ejikeme said.

The executive secretary also revealed that the Federal Government has set up a committee to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Health to see to the possibility of placing all senior citizens in a universal health insurance coverage scheme.

“This arrangement when implemented will ensure optimal health of all our senior citizens and all pensioners will be included and be beneficiaries of the scheme,” she said.

Earlier, in a Pension Stakeholders Forum (town hall meeting), the pensioners urged PTAD to look into the issue of some pensioners whose names were removed in the payroll but had been verified.

They also called for creation of a forum where the chairman or secretary of pension unions can relate and interact with PTAD executives on issues bothering their individual members among others.

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PTAD launches “I Am Alive” software for pensioners

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The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) on Tuesday launched “I Am Alive” software designed to enable pensioners easily confirm their aliveness from the comfort of their homes, using either a smartphone or a computer system.

The PTAD Executive Secretary, Dr Chioma Ejikeme, at a press conference to launch the software said that the directorate decided to deploy the application starting with 50,000 pensioners in the pilot phase.

Ejikeme said that  the 50,000 selected pensioners would cut across the four operational departments and the six geo-political zones of the country.

She said that people eligible for the project must be under Defined  Benefit Scheme (DBS) and must have been verified by PTAD before.

“ The directorate has decided to deploy the application in phases, starting with 50,000 pensioners cut across the four operational departments and the six geo-political zones, selected to participate in this pilot phase.

“ The exercises cut across all the operational departments of the directorate, namely: the Civil Service Pension Department, the Police Pension Department, the Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Department, and finally, the Parastatals Pension Department,” Ejikeme said.

She said that the application would take the pensioner through a three-step confirmation process that ends with a text message response and the confirmation process consists of three segments.

“ Identification process, photography and perform the aliveness validation by moving your face to follow the moving object on the screen,” Ejikeme said.

The executive secretary said that on the successful implementation of this pilot phase, the directorate would deploy the application on a full scale at predetermined intervals on a continuous basis for all verified pensioners on the payroll.

“ Kindly be informed that pensioners who are part of this pilot phase have been notified by PTAD via SMS and pensioners who did not receive the SMS should kindly note that they are not part of the pilot phase and would not be able to gain access to the platform to confirm their aliveness at this time.

“ All Pensioners will be duly informed when the application is deployed on a full scale and is available for all pensioners.

“ Be rest assured that nobody can tamper with your pension payment through the “I Am Alive” platform,” she said.

Ejikeme reassured the pensioners and their next of kin that PTAD would continue to clear any accrued arrears, while ensuring that monthly pensions are paid promptly.

She also emphasised  that pensioners’ BVN, ATM Card details and ATM Card PIN were not required for the confirmation process saying “we warn our pensioners to beware of fraudsters.”

Ejikeme said that PTAD earlier embarked on a massive verification exercise which took place between 2014 and 2019 across all the geopolitical zones in the country.

She said that the aim of the verification exercises was to ascertain the eligible pensioners under the DBS, enrol eligible pensioners who were hitherto not on the directorate’s Payroll, while promptly removing the unqualified.

“ The field verification was immensely successful and beneficial to the operations of PTAD resulting in a comprehensive and reliable database, which facilitates the process of budget preparation, accurate pension payments and the determination of outstanding pension liabilities.

“ A major gain of the verification exercise was the reduction of the directorate’s payroll by almost 18 per cent  equivalent to about 50,000 pensioners as a result of removal of ineligible pensioners from the payroll.

“ Over 20,000 eligible pensioners who were hitherto not on payroll were enrolled, 18,046 pensioners comprising of ex-workers of defunct and privatised agencies who had hitherto not been considered for pension were also enrolled.

“ 312 War-Affected Police Officers granted amnesty in the year 2000 were paid their arrears and put on our payroll,” the executive secretary said.

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Pensioners appeal to PenCom over unpaid increment

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Pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) have appealed to the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to implement their 15 percent and 33 percent pension increment and other benefits.
The Contributory Pensioners Union of Nigeria (CPUN), South West Zone, made the appeal on Tuesday during a peaceful protest held in Ibadan.
The CPUN President, Mr Joseph Idowu, said that PenCom was yet to implement the increment since 2007 and 2010 despite various promises.
Idowu said that their counterparts under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) had been enjoying the increment through the proactive stand of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).
“The new consequential adjustment in pension due to the latest increase in workers’ salaries and wages are also being enjoyed by pensioners under DBS, neglecting the CPS pensioners.
” No CPS pensioners have received any interest on their accrued benefits since 2007 till date.
” We require your urgent attention to ensure that arrears on this are calculated and paid at the Federal government official rate as at the time of retirement,” Idowu said.
The president said that his members are suffering as some of them collect as low as N3,000 as their monthly pension which was not accepted.
Idowu said that his members are not also happy with the delay in the payment of their retirement benefits which the commission now paid after one year of retirement contrary to PRA Act 2004 (Amended).
He said that section 16 (5) of PRA Act 2004 says pensioners should be paid not more than three months after retirement.
Idowu, however, commended the commission for prompt payment of their monthly pension and urged them to priotise welfare of pensioners under the CPS.

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