Military Pensions Board Explains Why Payment of SDA to Retired Pensioners, NOKs  is Delayed; Assures of Efforts to Resolve Hitches Between CBN & Banks.

The Military Pensions Board on Tuesday stated that the observed delay in the payment of Security Debarment Allowance owed retired pensioners, recently approved by President Muhammadu Buhari did not emanate from the board but from technical hitches ecperienced between the Central Bank of Nigeria and the disbursing banks of the retirees.

The Board has however assured the retirees that efforts are being made to resolve the observed problems and commence the payment of the security debarment allowance.

Chairman, MPB, Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal made this known in a statement on Tuesday night titled, “Observed Delay in Receipt of Security Debarment Allowancd By Some Pensioners and Next of Kins of Eligible Deceased Pensioners”.

It reads, “The Military Pensions Board (MPB) wishes to refer to the Press Release issued by the Chairman MPB on 5 January 2023 intimating our esteemed retirees and the general public on commencement of payment of the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) to military retirees and Next of Kins (NOKs) of deceased pensioners as approved by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.

“It has however, come to the notice of the Board that bank accounts of some of our esteemed pensioners are yet to be credited with their entitlements, especially for those banking with the Unity Bank, Access Bank, Eco Bank, Keystone Bank and Heritage Bank.

“It is pertinent to clarify that, this delay is not caused by the Board. It is as a result of some technical hitches experienced in the execution of the MPB’s mandate by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the commercial banks earlier mentioned.

“Notwithstanding this development, the Board is assuring our esteemed pensioners that the MPB is on top of the situation as efforts are being made to ensure all eligible pensioners get paid as soon as possible.

“Furthermore, the Board is using this medium to request all members of veteran associations to please inform NOKs of deceased pensioners that payment of SDA to eligible deceased military pensioners will commence on Thursday 19 January 2023.

“All NOKs of eligible deceased military personnel who died as a pensioner after 9 November 2017 are advised to contact their respective banks for their entitlements.

“In addition, NOKs of eligible deceased pensioners whose bank account details are not with the MPB are advised to formally apply to the Chairman MPB for their entitlements.

“Their applications should be accompanied with: Copy of Death Certificate of the Deceased Pensioner, Copy of Discharge Certificate, Retirement Letter of the Deceased Pensioner and Sworn Affidavit as to NOK of the Deceased.

“Others are Means of Identification of the NOK e.g copy of National Identity Card, International Passport or Driver’s License, Passport Photograph of the NOK and Letter from bank confirming account details of the NOK.

“In the same vein, all non-pensionable military retirees who retired prior to 9 November 2017 and alive are also to apply to the Chairman MPB for payment of their SDA entitlements.

“Their applications are to be accompanied with the following documents:Copy of Discharge Certificate/Retirement Letter.

“Copy of Discharge/Retirement ID Card,
Current Passport Photograph of the Retiree, and Letter from Bank Confirming account details of the Retiree.

“While thanking the affected pensioners, retirees and NOKs for their patience and understanding, the board regrets the inconveniences caused by this delay and would like to seize this opportunity to restate our commitment to always serve them better on issues bothering on their entitlements.”

END