Pensioners of the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have expressed frustration over persistent delays in the payment of their monthly pensions by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD). The retirees claim the situation has subjected them to significant hardship and uncertainty.
The senior citizens, organized under the Concerned NEPA/PHCN Pensioners group, allege that pension payments have been inconsistent over the past three months, with some payments arriving several weeks late. The group, led by Dunmoye Oladimeji, reported that the February pension was not paid until March 13, while the March pension was disbursed around April 8.
In a recorded message made available to The Guardian, Oladimeji stated that as of May 11, pensioners had yet to receive their April pension. “It has been a harrowing experience for all of us since February. They didn’t pay the February pension until March 13. We were told stories about funds not being released on time,” he said.
He added that despite repeated complaints and messages sent to PTAD, the pensioners have not received satisfactory explanations for the delays. “We have called several times and sent messages to PTAD. Sometimes they don’t even offer explanations until we start asking questions. They will now say the Office of the Accountant-General has not released funds,” he said.
The pensioners questioned why payments already captured in the yearly budget are still being delayed, insisting that retirees should not be subjected to avoidable suffering after years of service. They urged the relevant authorities to ensure the prompt release and disbursement of pension funds to ease the hardship they are experiencing.
