By Emman Ovuakporie

ABUJA – Following the directive of the Head Of Civil Service of the Federation, HOCSF, Mr Stephen Oronsaye Monday, that all biometrically captured pensioners must be paid the harmonised new pension, there seems to be a ray of hope for retirees to start receiving it tomorrow .

Oronsaye had directed that all pensioners under the purview of his Office, whose biometrics have been captured and their claims verified, should be paid arrears of the harmonized pension.

In a statement issued it was expressly stated that it was in line with approved rates of six percent (6%) and fifteen percent (15%) for 2003 and 2007 respectively and that payment must be effected unfailingly by Friday (tomorrow).

As at today, some pensioners had already collected the harmonized pension with their arrears as directed by the HOCSF.

Also, in a telephone chat with the Vanguard, Deputy Director in charge of Press and Public Relations, Mr Tope Ajakaiye confirmed that “the pensioners are already collecting provided they have been biometrically captured as directed.”

Pensioners during a verification exercise.

“Retirees misunderstood the HOCSF because of his insistence that all retirees should have a biometric data to forestall ghost retirees, as once you are captured nobody can impersonate you or make you to queue up for your money”, he added.

The statement confirmed that the HOCSF Office also identified and addressed the major reason why some pensioners, whose biometrics were captured and verified during the June 2010 exercise, have not been paid after the exercise.

This category of pensioners, would also receive their payments, including the harmonized arrears, also without fail by Friday (tomorrow).

In order to ensure that pensioners nationwide, and those in the Diaspora, who were not available during the last biometric capturing exercise are given another chance, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has approved the implementation of a process that will enable them to present their documents where they are resident prior to having their biometrics captured. This exercise is expected to take place from November 4-27, 2010.

Oronsaye assured all bona fide pensioners that his Office is fully committed to the processing and payment of their monthly pensions and to also ensure that a smooth, transparent and sustainable modality is put in place for the benefit of all.

It would be recalled that some pensioners had alleged that the refusal of the HOCSF Office to pay them after they had been digitally captured led to an uproar, which was quickly checkmated before it snowballs into something else.