The Presidential Reform Pension Taskforce Team (PRTFT), yesterday asked to be counted out of the current irregularities associated with the payment of pensions in the month of November 2012 as widely alleged by pensioners in the Head of Service of the Federation (OHCSF), saying the payment was made without recourse to its verified biometrics.
Spokesman of the task team, Mallam Salisu Hassan, told journalists that the process was hijacked, hence, excluding them from November and December payments.
“In view of the omissions and gross underpayments of pensions in the month of November, 2012 as reported to us by the pensioners in the office of the Head of Service of the Federation, the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) wishes to distance and dissociate itself from this payment as it was made without the knowledge of the team,’’ he said.
While describing the action as a flagrant disregard to the instruction of the president, Hassan explained that his team had prepared and processed the payment before the latest development.
He disclosed that they had recovered over N220 billion pension loots as at October 23, 2012, and expressed fear that the recent and unwarranted hijack of the payment, if not urgently addressed, would lead to fraudulent activities.
Hassan added that his team would not hesitate to arrest any person found wanting, irrespective of how highly placed he or she may be.
Answering questions on the alleged missing unspent N195billion pension fund and N500 billion owed to pensioners, Hassan said the task team was not in control of any money as it did not have running costs.