Pensioners Rejoice at FG Verification Exercise In Delta State

The Change mantra of the Federal Government truly played out at the on-going verification exercise of Federal Pensioners in Delta State by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).

The verification exercise for the pensioners in Delta State which is currently taking place at Labour House and Senior Civil Servants Hall Asaba, has been adjudged as the best verification process ever.

Smiles on the faces of the Pensioners was a sharp departure from the previous exercises marred by delays and a huge relief to would-be pensioners.

Speaking to Asaba Metro, the Delta state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ogbueshi Robert Chukwuyem, said that this exercise by the PTAD is the best that has been carried out in the history of pension verification in Delta State.

In his words, “This verification exercise is wonderful, unique and stress free. I have never witnessed this kind of exercise in my life. The pensioners are well taken care of, there is a trained medical personnel on ground, the policemen and other security agencies are also on ground and this is the first time that pensioners are sitting down to do a verification exercise and at the end well fed.”

Speaking further, the state chairman lauded the PTAD management for providing a conducive environment for all pensioners including the sick and incapacitated individuals. He prayed for a sustainance of this process at all levels of pension screening and verification.

Delta state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ogbueshi Robert Chukwuyem

On a close assessment of the exercise venues, it was observed that the screening process per pensioner took less than 40 minutes to go through the 7 stages involved in the verification exercise.

Security operatives from the Department of State Security (DSS), the Nigerian Police as well as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were on ground to provide the needed security for the senior citizens.

A Pensioner being wheeled by an official of PTAD at Asaba Verification Center

Medical services, Emergency ambulance, Wheel chairs, make-shift shelters and other needed comfort were all visible at the two centers. Packaged food and table water was adequately provided for each pensioner who participated in the verification process.

A Pensioner being served food and water by an official of PTAD at Asaba Verification Center

The pensioners who could not hide their happiness and satisfaction at the swift and stress free nature of the exercise, expressed appreciation to the directorate for having a human face and their welfare at heart.

At the completion of the verification exercise at these venues, the PTAD officials will commence verification at the homes of extremely sick pensioners who could not make it to the converging venue. A gesture which has never been done in the history of Pension verification Exercise.