The Federal Government has approved the implementation of an electronic verification system for military pensioners, aimed at ensuring proper management of pensions and addressing issues of impersonation.
According to The PUNCH, this was disclosed by the Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, AVM Paul Irumheson, during a press briefing in Abuja about the nationwide commencement of the electronic verification exercise.
Irumheson explained that this initiative was adopted to reduce the risks and costs associated with physical verification, especially for elderly pensioners.
“You may recall that on February 15, I briefed this honourable press about the board’s intention or plan to move from physical verification to electronic verification for our military retirees,” he stated.
He cited security risks, the old age of some pensioners, and high transportation costs, particularly for those abroad, as key reasons for this transition.
The board conducted a pilot test from February 15 to March 1, during which only 15 out of 2,000 pensioners failed the verification process. Improvements have since been made based on observations from the pilot test.
Irumheson further mentioned that the commencement of the verification exercise has been approved by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
He emphasized the board’s commitment to raising sufficient public awareness to help pensioners navigate the new system easily.
The chairman urged military pensioners to participate in the electronic verification exercise, warning that failure to do so would result in the cessation of their pension payments.
“I hereby declare the Electronic Verification Exercise officially open on full scale for all our retired pensioners for a period of three months from July 1, to Sept. 30. Finally, the Board wishes to advise all pensioners to take an active part in this exercise. Those that fail to take part in the verification exercise will not get their pensions going forward,” he said.
