NUP hails stress-free pension mop-up verification in S’East

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has described the mop-up verification, which commenced on Tuesday in Enugu and Umuahia for the South-East, as stress-free.

The National Vice President of the union (South-East), Damian Udeani, made the remark, while speaking on the exercise in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Tuesday.
The week-long exercise being carried out by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), commenced on Sun., Aug. 15 and billed to end on Sat., Aug. 21.

It was learnt that 439 pensioners were expected to be captured in the zone.
The PTAD officials at the Enugu centre would also carry out mobile mop-up verification for 50 retirees in Anambra and Ebonyi.
Udeani said he was happy with the coordination being experienced since the exercise commenced in the zone.
“I came here to see the way the exercise is going on and I am quite impressed with the peaceful, smooth, stress-free and hitch-free arrangement.
“I have also received phone calls that the same experience was being recorded at the Umuahia centre.

“I applaud the Federal Government for being magnanimous to accommodate our colleagues, who missed out in the 2015 and 2019 exercises.
“I have interacted with my fellow pensioners and PTAD officials and it is clear that all is well. There is no complaint anywhere,” Udeani said.
He also thanked the management of PTAD and President Muhammadu Buhari for paying attention to issues concerning retirees.
One of the retirees, Mike Onyeze, described the exercise as smooth, saying it took him about 10 minutes to be captured, upon the presentation of the required documents.

“It was seamless and hitch-free. As you can see I am going home,” Onyeze said.
Also, Mr Chidi Okam commended the PTAD officials for being courteous and dedicated to the assignment.
“The PTAD workers have been very helpful. They take time to explain issues to us,” Okam said.
Meanwhile, officials of PTAD declined comments on the exercise, saying they had no permission to speak to the media.

NAN reports that the retirees were served with water and snacks during the exercise.
It was learnt that the exercise was organised for pensioners not captured in the monthly contributory pension fund before retirement. (NAN)