PTAD to incorporate digitisation of pensioners’ data

Executive Secretary Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, addressing some south west pensioner during the 2018 PTAD stakeholders forum in Lagos.  Credit:Ernie Okorie/NAN

PTAD to incorporate digitisation of pensioners’ data

…Opens Yobe State Liaison Office

As part of efforts to strengthen the management of pensions under the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS), the Pension Transmission Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) says it will integrate automated computation of pensioners’ data and their benefits in the coming months.

PTAD’s spokesperson, Mrs, Harriet Agbeniyi, said in Lagos on Sunday that the automation would involve deploying technology to execute computation without human assistance.

The directorate said the automation would eliminate the lag between the conduct of verification exercise and computation process.

However, PTAD said it had completed the automation of pension payment through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS)

“The payment process enables pensioners to receive their payments directly into their bank accounts from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) without any interface with the directorate.

“PTAD does not operate or service any commercial bank accounts,” Agbeniyi said in a statement.

She said it had initiated the digitisation of pensioners’ data and records in order to maintain a comprehensive database of pensioners under DBS.

Others initiatives, according her, include the establishment of care and empathy department that enhances prompt resolution of complaints.

“The department sees to the conduct of verification exercises under conducive environment.

“The unit also ensures provision of food, water and medical facilities at all verication and workshops center.

“Similarly, the directorate will continue to attend to the sick and infirm pensioners through Mobile Verification exercise,” she said.

She added that the directorate was intensifying the recovery of pension still being held by insurance companies through the use of all available legal means at our disposal.

“We continuously engage with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for enrollment of pensioners,” Agbeniyi said.

On the drawbacks, she said the directorate had identified lack of adequate resources to settle the liabilities inherited and to implement major initiatives mostly those that were capital intensive.

In another development PTAD has opened a Liaison Office at Damaturu, Yobe state in fulfillment of a promise made by the Executive Secretary, Sharon Ikeazor in March this year.

The office is located at the Secretary to the State Government/Head of Service Office building in Damaturu, the state capital.

The objective is to bring pension services closer to its pensioners in the state and environs and to ensure that our aged pensioners do not need to come to the headquarters in Abuja for the resolution of their complaints or enquiry.

At the official commissioning of the office, the Yobe State Governor, Dr Ibrahim Gaidam, represented by the Head of Service, Alhaji Saleh Abubakar commended the cordial relationship between the Yobe State government and PTAD and expressed the state government’s commitment to make sure that the new established office of PTAD receives adequate support from the State government.

In her speech, PTAD Executive Secretary, Sharon Ikeazor who was represented by the Director, Pension Support Services Department (PSSD) Mrs Olufunmilayo Onafowokan, said the opening of the liaison office is a symbol of hope and a commitment to the welfare of our senior citizens.

According to the NUP National President, Abel Afolayan, represented by Alhaji Sani Mohammed, the occasion is a promise kept by the Executive Secretary of PTAD. He also commended PTAD for treating pensioners with dignity and respect during verifications.

In the same vein, The NUP Chairman, Yobe State Chapter, Alhaji Kachallah Goni was full of thanks to the Governor and PTAD. He described the occasion as unforgettable and promised that the state NUP will give maximum cooperation and support to PTAD and the Yobe State Government.