The Federal Government is set to verify military pensioners nationwide between October 6 and October 20, 2015.
This was disclosed by the Military Pensions’ Board chairman, AVM Muhammad Dabo, during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday. He said the exercise, planned to hold simultaneously across the country, would ensure the eradication of ghost pensioners from the payroll of the military and save funds for the government.
As stated by him, the exercise would also give the pensioners access to the Defence Health Maintece Limited for their registration for the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Dabo said the verification was being organised for the first time in three years to ensure effective pension administration in the military.
He also said the exercise will feature photo geometry and fingerprints patterns would help the pension board to update its data base.
He urged all pensioners to take the verification seriously as the names of those not captured would be removed from the payroll of the board.
The board’s boss said, “It is important to note that this verification, which is an annual exercise, has not been conducted for the past three years. The exercise is therefore crucial towards effective administration of military pensions, especially as it will enable the board to appropriately update its record.
“The exercise will also provide avenue for pensioners to have access to the Defence Health Maintece Limited for their registration. The purpose of this year’s exercise is to verify all existing pensioners on the current pay roll and update their records accordingly.
“Pensioners who may have died before this exercise will be dropped from the pay roll. The next-of-kins of such deceased pensioners are expected to come to the board to apply for the balance of bulk pension, if the pensioner had not earned up to 60 months pension prior to his or her death.”