The Military Pensions Board (MPB) on Friday said it had commenced the payment of 24 months arrears of minimum wage increment to over 90,000 eligible military pensioners across the country.

Chairman of the board, Saburi Lawal, who disclosed this while briefing journalists on Friday in Abuja, said that the payment started on Thursday.

Mr Lawal said the board had commenced with 25 per cent of the outstanding sum to individual pensioners, adding that the payment was scheduled to be made in four installments on a quarterly basis.

According to him, the second would be paid in April, the third in July and the fourth and last would be paid in October this year.

He also said that the Next-of-Kin (NOKs) of deceased pensioners, who were still alive as of April 2019, when the approval for consequential adjustment, was given by President Muhammadu Bihari, had also been paid.

This development, he said, was the outcome of discussions and agreement between the board and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

“Additionally, I would like to further inform that all Next of Kins (NOKs) of deceased military pensioners who are eligible for same arrears would be paid the minimum wage increments together with the shortfall of the death benefits earlier paid to them.”

He assured the military retirees, NOKs, and other well-meaning Nigerians that the board would remain resolute and would ensure complete payment of the arrears before the end of the year, subject to release of funds.

Mr Lawal also disclosed that the proposed online verification of pensioners would commence in months’ time with a view to getting pensioners verified from the comfort of their homes.

(NAN)