PTAD Boss Orders Sector By Sector Review Of Pension Back End Computation

The  Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr Chioma Ejikeme, has ordered for a sector by sector review of pension back end computation together with that of the representatives of Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR), National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Pension Desk Officers (PDOs), Pension Union Executives and PTAD Staff.

This order is contained in a eight-point communique issued by PTAD at the end of its meeting with the executives of all sectors union and parastatal branches of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) at PTAD headquarters in Abuja on Friday, January 19, 2024.

According to the communique, “the Executive Secretary has ordered for a comprehensive review of the Back End Computation Sector by Sector together with representatives of Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR), National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), PDOs, Pension Union Executives and PTAD Staff.”

“Executive Secretary, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, maintains and reiterates that the major concern of the Directorate is for every bona-fide and qualified pensioner to receive their rightful pension.

“The Committee set up discovered some anomalies in the Back End Computation bordering on: Grade Level/Step misapplication and Non resolution of acceptable pensionable emoluments as proposed by the Pension Union and PDOs amongst others,” the communique added.

The communique was issued after agreement was reached with consent of the Union Representatives and PAD Representatives, namely: Sir Samuel Adewale! NUP/ASU National Chairman; Emeka Aniche, Chairman, NSRMEA, Kaduna; Comrade Lucky A. Oyinbo, National Secretary/BOT (NIPSS, Kuru); Comrade Oladele Abiodun Gabriel, NUP/ASU Secretary, UCH; Magbeyi Jemine A, NUP/ASCL (Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited); M.A. Mshelia, NUP/NMDC, Jos; Dachung Gyang Bashi, Secretary, VCN; Christina Adebote, Deputy Director, PTAD and Amina Katune-Abdullahi, Deputy Director, PTAD.

Below is the full text of the communique:

1. Following complaints emanating from the outcome of the Back End Computation exercise by Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), the Executive Secretary set up a Committee comprising of: Pension Union Executives, Pension Desk Officers (PDOs) and PTAD staff to review the complaints bordering on the following:

a. Misapplication of Grade Level/Step in computation.

b. Non-inclusion of sectorial allowances not recognised by PTAD as pensionable emoluments.

c. Complaints by severed pensioners by Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPS) as to the recognised date of retirement affecting pensionable years and relevant salary structures

d. Application of circular on Consequential Pension Adjustment of 2019

2. The Executive Secretary, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme maintains and reiterates that the major concern of the Directorate is for every bona-fide and qualified pensioner to receive their rightful pension.

3. The Committee set up discovered some anomalies in the Back End Computation bordering on: Grade Level/Step misapplication and Non resolution of acceptable pensionable emoluments as proposed by the Pension Union and PDOs amongst others.

4. Consequently, the Executive Secretary has ordered for a comprehensive review of the Back End Computation Sector by Sector together with representatives of Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR), National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), PDOs, Pension Union Executives and PTAD Staff.

5. As each sector is reviewed with the outcome unanimously adopted, the pensioners, will be put on the payroll based on the results unanimously agreed upon. Any pensioner from any Sector yet to be reviewed by the end of March 2024 will be returned to the September 2023 pension payroll (last payroll prior to the implementation of BEC) pending the final review.

6. After the final review and adopted results, for any overpayment discovered, recovery will be immediately initiated based on PTAD established Recovery Policy.

7. For contentious issues like the Date of Retirement for severed pensioners, consultation with BPSR to request for extant documents for implementation will be mandatory for complaint resolution.

8. On complaints on the consequential pension adjustment of 2019, an explanatory note on the application of the circular from the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission has been requested for and resolutions will be based on the response from them.