By JOY OYERINDE

A group, Concerned NEPA/PHCN Pensioners, has accused the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) of deliberately withholding pension arrears of its members.

The group made the allegation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

Its Chairman, Mr Oladimeji Dunmoye, alleged that PTAD was colluding with some people to delay payment of the arrears.

Dunmoye said that funds for the payment was released by the Federal Government since May 2026.

He said that the delay had subjected many of the group’s members to prolonged hardship, adding that some of them had died while awaiting payment of their entitlements.

“We have credible information that the Federal Government released the funds in May 2026; yet, payment has not commenced.

‘’We are asking PTAD to explain the delay and immediately commence disbursement,” he said.

The group’s Vice Chairman, Mr Ayodeji Oladotun, said that the group had been given several explanations for the delay, including ongoing verification and payroll synchronisation.

According to him, the continued postponement has heightened anxiety among the pensioners, who have waited for years to receive the outstanding arrears.

Oladotun, said: “It is betrayal of the highest order. Some of our colleagues have passed away while waiting for this money that has already been signed off by the government.”

He called on the Federal Ministry of Finance and anti-corruption agencies to investigate the reason for the alleged delayed disbursement.

He urged PTAD to commence payment of the arrears and ensure transparency in the process.

He said that the pensioners would embark on a peaceful protest at PTAD headquarters and state liaison offices if the payment would be further delayed.

NAN reports that the group had embarked on a peaceful protest in 2018 over unpaid pension arrears.

The protest held at PTAD’s Lagos Liaison Office at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

It also held protests in March 2021 and September 2022.

Reacting to the allegation, PTAD’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Olugbenga Ajayi, referred NAN to a statement issued earlier by the directorate and signed by Ajayi.

The statement noted the Federal Government, through PTAD, had successfully settled the long-standing pension liabilities.

It said that the settlement was in fulfilment of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to liquidate outstanding pension liabilities.

‘’The liabilities include N25,053,703,604.12 representing the outstanding 35-month pension liability owed to eligible 9,675 Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensioners of the defunct NITEL/MTEL.”

According to the statement, the liabilities also include N9,481,886,576.53 representing the initial 50 per cent payment of the Back End Computation (BEC) arrears to 3,959 eligible Power Holding Company of Nigeria DBS pensioners.

It also includes N5,094,784,054.27 representing the 50 per cent balance payment of the 10.66 per cent and 12.95 per cent pension increment arrears due to 11,180 eligible DBS pensioners of defunct Assurance Bank, NICON, NITEL and People’s Bank of Nigeria.

The statement noted that the directorate thanked all affected DBS pensioners for their patience and confidence throughout the period the liabilities remained outstanding.

‘’PTAD remains dedicated to sustaining efficient, transparent, and pensioner-centred service delivery, reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding the dignity and well-being of all DBS pensioners,” it said. (NAN)