PRESS RELEASE 25th September, 2017
The attention of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has been drawn to certain misinformation making the rounds concerning the payment of 33% arrears to pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).
These unfounded stories suggested that the Federal Government had released various sums of money to PTAD for the settlement of 33% pension arrears to pensioners and that PTAD is holding on to the money. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Ordinarily, the Directorate wouldn’t have responded to these unsubstantiated claims. But having noticed that if these rumours were allowed to continue unabated, they are capable of exposing our pensioners to criminal scams perpetrated by pension fraudsters. It has, therefore, become imperative on the Directorate to set the records straight on the issue of 33%, and indeed other pension related matters.
a) That PTAD is not in arrears in the payment of Monthly Pension to Civil Service, Parastatals, Police and Customs, Immigration and Prison pensioners. The Directorate pays monthly pension as at when due;
b) That PTAD does not operate any account outside the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and all payments are made via GIFMIS or Remita, depending on the mode of release, as the Directorate is 100% treasury funded;
c) That PTAD has settled the 33% arrears for at least one year for each of the Pension Departments. The most recent payments made were to the Police (9 months) and to 22 treasury funded agencies, health institutions, universities and polytechnics which had hitherto not been paid anything out of the 33% arrears. The payment made to the latter group was for 12 months and brought them to par with other pensioners in their category;
d) That the balance of the outstanding 33% arrears was included in the total pension liability established and reconciled by the Inter-ministerial Committee on Pension Liabilities which was set up by President Muhammadu Buhari and chaired by the Honourable Minister of Finance (HMF). The Executive Secretary of PTAD served as secretary of the Committee. The HMF is working tirelessly to ensure that funds are made available to settle these obligations which have been graciously approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Until then, we implore all pensioners to remain calm and await the release and eventual payment of the balance.
Should you require further information on the aforementioned issues and other DBS pension related matters, do not hesitate to contact PTAD on the following toll free number: 0800 -22557823 or +234 (0)9 462 1700; +234 (0) 813 6048117.
Signed Management
