According to a signed statement issued by the Enugu State Government, through the Secretary to the state Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the verification exercise is designed to update and validate the records of retirees and next of kin, ensure that only legitimate beneficiaries receive their gratuity and related payments, eliminate fraud and discrepancies, and create a reliable database.
The verification exercise will be conducted in phases to ensure efficiency and avoid overcrowding. Participants will be notified of their specific dates and venues via SMS, radio announcements, and posters.
To participate in the verification exercise, retirees and next of kin are required to come with the following documents:
- Notice of Retirement
- Pension Form and Pension Authority
- Letter of First Appointment
- Last Promotion Letter
- Bank Verification Number (BVN)
- National Identification Number (NIN)
- Recent Passport Photographs
- Payslip or Statement of Account
- Death Certificate (for Next of Kin)
- Letter of Administration/Affidavit
In addition to the verification exercise, the Enugu State Government has also announced the commencement of pension arrears payments to 7,109 verified retirees from the local government sector. This development is a significant step towards addressing the outstanding entitlements of retirees in the state.
Furthermore, the government has commenced payment of pensions to local government retirees in the state, bringing relief to thousands of retirees who have been waiting for their pensions.
In a bid to eliminate ghost and deceased pensioners from the payroll, a verification exercise revealed 2,640 ghost and deceased pensioners still on the payroll. This discovery has enabled the government to streamline its pension payment process and ensure that only legitimate beneficiaries receive their pensions.
For retirees who are unable to attend the verification exercise in person, the government has provided instructions for remote verification. This includes providing a signed affidavit or letter of consent authorizing a representative to submit documents on their behalf, as well as emailing scanned copies of necessary documents to verifygratuity@gmail.com.
The Enugu State Government has assured that the verification exercise will be transparent, efficient, and beneficial to all retirees and their families. The government has also provided a helpline (0916-810-1470) and email address (verifygratuity@gmail.com) for complaints or inquiries.
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