Nigerian Pensioners In UK Register For Payment

Over 140 registered Nigerian pensioners resident in the UK participating in the biometric data capturing exercise for pensioners, starting from March 1.

The Establishment and Records Office in the Office of the Head of Service, is handling the registration in London .

Pensioners' biometrics

Permanent Secretary in the Office, Mr. Charles Bonat, said that the pensioners' biometrics data gathering requires them to submit finger prints and photographs, main documents of retirement, including letters of first appointment or gazette of same, confirmation, last promotion, retirement documents and two passport photographs.

“Once their documents are verified, their bank account numbers are verified and their biometrics captured, it will lead to seamless payment of pension monthly.” Bonat said.

Not for Ex-colonial officers

Bonat said the exercise would not cover British ex-colonial officers now.

He said that although such cases would be looked into, government was more concerned with pensioners that retired under the Pay-As-You-Go system.

He commended the Nigerian High Commission for its collaboration in ensuring that the registration came to fruition.

Bonat said he hoped that pensioners across Western Europe would avail themselves of the opportunity and get registered.

According to him, “those who miss the registration will have to travel to Abuja to be captured.''

The exercise ends on Friday, March 4, 2011.

NAN/Williams/Yinka