Pension Directorate begins verification of FG retirees in Bayelsa

Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) on Monday commenced the verification of Federal Government pensioners resident in Bayelsa.

No fewer than 2,000 pensioners turned out for the exercise slated to last from Jan. 16 to Jan. 18.

Officials of PTAD addressed the retirees on the procedures and checklist of documents required for the exercise.

They urged them to be orderly as the verification was designed to fast track regular payment of their monthly pensions.

Some of the pensioners who spoke to newsmen commended officials of the PTAD for the arrangements made for the verification and described them as “effective.”

They said that they were treated courteously by officials of PTAD.

“The arrangements are very good and commendable; they provided enough seats for the envisaged crowd under a shade for people to sit and wait while sorting out their documents.

“The documents they are asking for are many and they gave out a list of what they require.

“Some pensioners who do not have all the documents went back home to bring the rest; but the good thing is that they (PTAD officials) will be on ground for three days.

“It is hoped that they will verify every pensioner that turns up for the exercise,” Bio Ekio one of the pensioners said.

Chief Newman Kenibolo, a former chairman of Bayelsa chapter of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) told NAN that the exercise was going smoothly.

He, however, stressed the need for PTAD to liaise with the leadership of NUP in the state to sensitize pensioners.

He observed that some categories of pensioners who were not qualified for the screening besieged the venue.

“The publicity for the exercise was not detailed enough; they ought to spell out the categories of those who are eligible to avoid people wasting their time and the time of PTAD.

“The current leadership of PTAD should do more in sensitizing the pensioners.

“I have gone round to see how things are going and by the third day, we shall be able to assess the entire process,” Kenibolo said.

Comments

Pope not involved in Colombian peace deal- Vatican

Pope Francis Pope Francis has turned down a request to play a role in the peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group. The Vatican in a statement issued on Wednesday in in Vatican City said that an invitation was sent to his Holiness in early August to appoint a representative to participate in the committee that selected the judges for the talks. The statement said that though Pope Francis supported the peace process, he, however, reiterated that he would not get involved in Colombian peace deal. It said that Pope was praying for the enlightenment of the hearts and minds of those who were called to promote the common good of the Colombian nation. A deal was announced last week, putting an end to five decades of internal conflict between government forces and the FARC rebels. The agreement, which needed to be ratified through a referendum in Oct. 2, would entail setting up a special court to grant amnesties or pu...

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...

Global Naija Info

Search This Blog