Both the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) have stated that they are willing to work together on the pension verification process for Nigerians in Diaspora.
Mr. Gabriel Odu, Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit, NiDCOM, issued a statement in Abuja requesting collaboration with NiDCOM management on the Diaspora pension verification process.
Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Commission’s Chairman, stated that NiDCOM was ready to disseminate the information to the Nigerian Diaspora community.
“We will ensure to work with you and reach out to the Nigerian Diaspora to get them to key into this strategic initiative of the government,” she said.
Earlier, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, Executive Secretary, PTAD, led a courtesy visit to NiDCOM with a delegation of the agency’s management.
Ejikeme stated that PTAD was determined to eliminate pension-related irregularities through the use of technology.
“With the introduction of computation software, we are now able to do automatic transmission of pensions.” “This has helped to eliminate ghost members and regulate the system,” said Ejikeme.
The executive secretary stated that the irregularities necessitated the verification of all eligible Nigerians, which PTAD was able to do across the six geopolitical zones.
She stated that the agency was aware of some qualified Nigerians who had worked and retired before June 2007 but were now living outside the country’s borders.
“This category of pensioners can be verified through the Diaspora Pension Verification Process, which requires them to get a certificate of aliveness from the Nigerian mission in their country of residence.
“This verification process will enable them to get captured on the payroll system and get access to their entitled pension,” she explained.
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