The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has commenced an expanded computation project for verified Pensioners and Next-of-Kin of deceased pensioners, with a view to resolving their complaints of non-payment of Gratuity and Death Benefits respectively.

According to PTAD’s “Expended Nok & Gratuity Project Progress Report”, about 842 NoKs have been found and verified as paid, and PTAD will communicate this development to the affected pensioners.

However, 1,147 NoKs require additional documents, and the project’s correspondence team has contacted 540 NoKs and pensioners to request the required documents.

Unfortunately, less than 50 percent of those contacted have provided the necessary documents.

The report also stated that 607 beneficiaries could not be reached via the provided phone numbers, and PTAD has resolved to write to the pension unions and MDAs where the principal worked for further action.

Furthermore, benefits belonging to 535 NoKs and pensioners have been computed, with 125 beneficiaries paid a total of N245,834,813 after meeting the statutory documentary requirements. The remaining 409 beneficiaries await the provision of secondary document requirements.

PTAD is working with the High Courts of Justice to validate the Letters of Administration in favor of NoKs, and the project will continue to work towards resolving the issues.

The report read in part, “The project’s dedicated correspondence team were able to place calls and emails through to about 540 Noks and pensioners requesting for the required documents. It will be worthy to mention that less than 50 per cent of those contacted were able to provide the required documents.”

 Additionally, “About 607 beneficiaries could not be reached via the phone numbers provided during verification. As efforts to communicate the requirement have failed and as such, the Directorate has resolved to write to the pension unions and MDAs where the principal worked for further action.”