The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has paid one-month pension arrears of N842.8 million to pensioners of the defunct NITEL/Mtel in December, 2019.

The Executive Secretary, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, in a statement said the money was paid to 11,331 pensioners

She said the payment was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to reduce inherited pension liabilities, assuring pensioners that their welfare remains a priority to President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration.

She said before it embarked on the NITEL/MTEL verification exercise in February 2018, PTAD made it abundantly clear that the mandate of the Directorate was to verify and enroll eligible pensioners for the purpose of payment of monthly pension, in conformity with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act (2014).

She said: “This was what the Directorate did in the cases of Delta Steel Company (DSC), Nigeria Reinsurance, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), NICON Insurance and Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA) civilians.

“The pensioners who have served the country meritoriously in their various capacities deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

“This is why PTAD staff and management will continue to work towards ensuring that the pensioners receive their pension entitlements as and when due.”

She commended the staff for their hard work and dedication in the discharge of their responsibilities during the Parastatals Pensioners Verification Exercise across the country.

She also assured them that she will among other things be guided by the core values of the Directorate namely passion, transparency, accountability and drive.