BY NDAHI MARAMA, MAIDUGURI
Borno State Government has said that the lingering crisis on pension payments resulting to inability of quite a number to collect their pension entitlements is attributed to fraud, improper filling of Data and avoidable challenges on the part of the pensioners themselves.
This was disclosed by the Head of Service (HoS), Barrister Simon Malgwi during a press briefing on Saturday at the Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri.
He said, Government has discovered that quite a number of some retired civil servants are still collecting both salaries and pensions monthly, and in order to forestall this kind of situation, it is highly advisable for the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, which is the umbrella body of all pensioners, to assist their members through all the procedures and processes involved in the judicious ongoing of the verification exercise.
Recalled that, the state government at the week end approved immediate payment of salaries and pensions for the month of May 2020 to enable proper planning for the Radaman/ Eid- El Fitr Sallah celebrations.
His words: ” It has became imperative for the State Government to settle all outstanding payments and entitlements of our genuine pensioners across the state, therefore, our concerned Governor, His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum directed for this very important press briefing to let the general public informed.
“Recalled that on Thursday 12th March 2020, His Excellency found it expidelient to go to the Pension Office, where a public hearing was in progress, and took charge of the situation. At the time there were a total of 387 complaints from pensioners received. ” At the Public Hearing, 70 out of the above number were found to have been cleared and captured before the commencement of the Hearing.
It was discovered that a total of 129 forms filled by pensioners to be processed and captured had not been received by the Biometric Office. “These forms were either lost in transit or had not been submitted altogether. In any case, the affected pensioners were given new forms to fill and return them within two weeks: after they were sufficiently enlightened on proper ways of handling the forms and more importantly, where to submit them.
” It was also discovered that quite a number of pensioners were unable to provide correct details, particularly in respect of their bank account details or their Bank Verification Numbers. “This has seriously affected the verification process, as they could not be verified with inadequate or incorrect information which could ultimately jeopardize the payment process of their monthly pension.
” In order to forestall this kind of situation, it is highly advisable for the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, which is the umbrella body of all pensioners, to assist their members through all the procedures and processes involved in the judicious ongoing of the verification exercise.
“Despite these hitches, 90% of our pensioners have so far been cleared and paid their one month’s pension and payments will continue after the process of their enrolment into the pension scheme is fully completed.
The pending 10% is because some of them have not reported for their exercise while others have been deferred for further investigation and necessary or appropriate action. ” In addition to the foregoing, the Public Hearing has also discovered far more serious cases of fraud and other unsavoury activities on the part of the pensioners: which profoundly affected the verification process.
Most of these fraudulent cases border on deliberate overstay in the service, well beyond the mandatory years of service or retirement age: which was being perpetrated by altering either dates of birth or first appointment.
“There were also cases of those collecting both salary and pension at the same time, which is gross misconduct and formidable betrayal. ” likewise, cases of impersonation, improper replacement and over-payment of pension