Members of the Sokoto State Concerned Pensioners Forum have expressed solid support for the government’s initiation of the ongoing verification exercise for pension payments, which commenced on June 27, 2024.

“We are confident that the exercise aims to address many of the persistent issues faced by pensioners,” said Forum Secretary Muhammad Garba. “Although we were not involved in the planning process, we believe it reflects the government’s good intentions to improve the socioeconomic well-being of retirees.”

The Forum’s statement highlighted that the verification exercise aims to identify deceased pensioners who have not been reported to the pension boards and replace them with eligible retirees who have yet to be enrolled in the monthly pension payment system. Additionally, it seeks to document those who have received gratuities and address backlogs inherited from the previous state administration.

The verification is also expected to provide insight into the cost implications of the new monthly pension if the 2024 minimum wage is implemented, as it is constitutionally mandated that each new minimum wage includes a corresponding pension increase.

Garba emphasized the Forum’s appreciation and wholehearted support for the exercise. However, he appealed to the government to decentralize the verification process to reduce transportation costs for pensioners. He pointed out the security risks involved in traveling to central locations such as Sokoto, particularly from areas like Goronyo, Sabon Birni, Isa, and Gudu.

“We recall that during a similar exercise conducted on a zonal basis in 2021, pensioners from Sabon Birnin and Isa LGAs were attacked by bandits while returning from the Wurno Zone,” Garba noted. “We appeal to the government to be more ‘pensioner-friendly’ by decentralizing the verification exercise.”