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Edo NEPA, PHCN retirees demand N350bn arrears payment
NG🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive2 days ago

Edo NEPA, PHCN retirees demand N350bn arrears payment

Retirees from the former National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), based in Benin, have protested the delayed payment of their pensions and gratuities, alleging a cumulative debt of over N350 billion. Speaking on behalf of the group, Alile Osakioduwa claimed that while the Federal Government had released the funds to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), the retirees had not yet received their entitlements. He highlighted that many retirees, particularly those who retired in 2000, had been short-paid, with up to 45% of their gratuity still owed. The retirees also noted that they had not benefited from recent pension increases approved by the federal government, including those under President Bola Tinubu. The protest emphasized the financial strain on retirees, with many struggling to cover medical expenses and support their families. One retiree, Solomon Ifijeh, confirmed that the funds had been transferred to PTAD in May and that payments were initially promised for June and then July, but no action had been taken. Ifijeh urged Tinubu to intervene and ensure PTAD addresses the retirees' concerns.

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has disbursed N3.82 billion in accumulated pension arrears to 30,356 retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). The payments were made following a comprehensive review of outstanding entitlements aimed at resolving disputes over pension calculations and unpaid benefits. According to a statement released by PTAD's Head of Corporate Communications, Olugbenga Ajayi, the funds were distributed across three key departments within the organization. The beneficiaries included retirees from the Parastatals Pension Department, the Defunct and Transferred Agencies Pension Department, and the Tertiary, Education and Health Pension Department. The exact figure cited in the statement was N3.817 billion, though this is often rounded up to N3.82 billion in media reports. The distribution marked the culmination of a Back-End Computation Review Exercise initiated to address grievances related to pension computations and ensure that all rightful entitlements were accounted for. This review was crucial for retirees under the DBS, which governs pension arrangements for employees whose rights are based on the pre-2004 pension system. Unlike the Contributory Pension Scheme, which relies on individual retirement savings accounts, the DBS is funded by the government for eligible retirees and beneficiaries. The exercise identified discrepancies in pension calculations and determined the outstanding amounts due to affected pensioners. Executive Secretary of PTAD, Tolulope Odunaiya, expressed gratitude towards the affected pensioners for their cooperation during the review process. She emphasized the Directorate’s dedication to processing and paying verified pension obligations promptly and transparently. This latest payment underscores the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to tackling pension-related challenges and enhancing the welfare of retirees under the DBS. Odunaiya affirmed that the administration led by President Bola Tinubu is focused on addressing pension-related issues and reinforcing pension administration under the DBS. She assured pensioners that PTAD would continue engaging with them to resolve any concerns regarding their pension entitlements. The Directorate highlighted that this disbursement was more than just a financial transaction, it represented a broader initiative to restore trust in pension administration by ensuring that all verified claims were thoroughly evaluated and settled. PTAD reiterated its commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability in managing and distributing pension entitlements. The recent disbursement aligns with continued efforts by both the federal government and pension administrators to tackle outstanding pension obligations and enhance the well-being of retirees. These actions aim to provide much-needed financial relief to the 30,356 beneficiaries who received the arrears.

3 reports

The Punch logoThe PunchIndependentCenterFactual 94Objective 969 days ago
PTAD pays N3.82bn pension arrears to 30,356 retirees

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has disbursed N3.817 billion in pension arrears to 30,356 retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). The payment followed a Back-End Computation Review Exercise aimed at resolving disputes over pension calculations and unpaid benefits. The beneficiaries were spread across three departments within PTAD, including those from parastatals, defunct agencies, and tertiary education and health sectors. The payment is part of broader efforts to address outstanding pension obligations and improve the administration of the DBS, which operates under government-funded arrangements for retirees. The Director General emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to resolving pension-related challenges and enhancing the welfare of retirees under the scheme.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual update on a government agency's action regarding pension payments, without overtly favoring any political ideology. It emphasizes transparency, accountability, and government commitment to retirees' welfare, but does not take a clear partisan stance. The framing is non

Why factuality (94): The article provides specific figures (N3.817bn) and numbers of beneficiaries (30,356), along with details about the departments involved and the purpose of the payment. These facts align with the cross-source consensus, though the exact figure is slightly rounded (N3.82bn vs. N3.817bn). The informa

Why objectivity (96): The article presents the information in a neutral manner, using formal language and quoting official statements. There is no evident bias or emotional language, and the content is framed as an objective report of events.

Vanguard Nigeria logoVanguard NigeriaIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 787 days ago
30,356 FG retirees get N3.82bn backlog payment

The Nigerian Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has disbursed N3.82 billion in pension arrears to 30,356 Federal Government retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). The payment was part of a Back-End Computation Review Exercise aimed at resolving complaints over pension calculations and unpaid entitlements. The disbursement was confirmed by PTAD’s Head of Corporate Communications, Olugbenga Ajayi, who highlighted the agency’s commitment to addressing outstanding obligations. Executive Secretary Tolulope Odunaiya praised the retirees’ cooperation and reiterated the administration’s focus on improving pension administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The payment marks progress in resolving long-standing pension issues for DBS retirees.

Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a government action related to pensions, a politically sensitive issue, it presents the information objectively, citing official sources and focusing on the administrative process rather than taking a partisan stance. The tone remains neutral, emphasizing transparency and a

Why factuality (85): The article reports on the disbursement of N3.82 billion to 30,356 FG retirees under the DBS scheme, citing the PTAD as the source. It provides specific figures and quotes officials from PTAD, aligning with the cross-source consensus that this was a verified payment resulting from the BEC review exe

Why objectivity (78): The article maintains a generally neutral tone but includes statements from PTAD officials that frame the payment as a demonstration of commitment and transparency. While not overtly biased, it subtly emphasizes the positive impact of the payment and ties it to the administration's broader efforts,

The Punch logoThe PunchIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 752 days ago
Edo NEPA, PHCN retirees demand N350bn arrears payment

Retirees from the former National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), based in Benin, have protested the delayed payment of their pensions and gratuities, alleging a cumulative debt of over N350 billion. Speaking on behalf of the group, Alile Osakioduwa claimed that while the Federal Government had released the funds to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), the retirees had not yet received their entitlements. He highlighted that many retirees, particularly those who retired in 2000, had been short-paid, with up to 45% of their gratuity still owed. The retirees also noted that they had not benefited from recent pension increases approved by the federal government, including those under President Bola Tinubu. The protest emphasized the financial strain on retirees, with many struggling to cover medical expenses and support their families. One retiree, Solomon Ifijeh, confirmed that the funds had been transferred to PTAD in May and that payments were initially promised for June and then July, but no action had been taken. Ifijeh urged Tinubu to intervene and ensure PTAD addresses the retirees' concerns.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue as a systemic failure by the federal government and PTAD, emphasizing the suffering of retirees and the government's responsibility. The focus on the delay in payments and the call for presidential intervention suggests a critique of government inefficiency, aligning the

Why factuality (85): The article reports on a protest by retirees of NEPA and PHCN in Edo State demanding payment of N350bn in arrears. It cites specific figures and quotes a representative, Alile Osakioduwa, who alleges that funds have been released by the Federal Government but not distributed to retirees. While no pr

Why objectivity (75): The article presents the retirees' grievances as factual allegations, using emotive language such as 'many are dying' and 'increasingly difficult to cater for their medical expenses.' While it remains neutral in reporting the protesters' demands, the emphasis on the severity of the situation may sub

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