To ease the sufferings of retirees, the military high command has launched an Electronic Verification Management System for senior citizens.
The system will replace the Military Pensions Board’s manual physical verification process for veterans to access their pensions, gratuities, and other benefits.
The introduction of the electronic system is in swift response to retirees’ outcry about the cumbersome physical verification process, particularly challenging for them due to their advanced age.
Addressing newsmen at Dutse Alhaji, Abuja headquarters of Military Pension Board, on Thursday during the unveiling of the system, the Chairman Military Pensions Board, Air Vice Marshal Paul Irumheson, said continuing with the physical verification exercise has become difficult due to factors such as the high cost of transportation, and security risks among others.
He noted that over 11,000 retirees distributed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would participate in the testing phase, starting on February 19.
Irumheson said, “Continuing with the physical verification exercise has become difficult due to factors such as the old age of our esteemed pensioners, the high cost of transportation, the security risks associated with travelling by road, and the financial burden of travelling down to Nigeria for pensioners residing abroad, among others.
“To ease the process of future verification exercises and sustain the integrity of the pension database, the Military Pensions Board has developed a system for the electronic verification of pensioners.
“The Electronic Verification Management System is a web-based system designed to enable pensioners to carry out their verification from the comfort of their locations using a mobile device.
“The Board would commence the deployment of the electronic verification application with a pilot test in which 300 pensioners drawn from each of the 36 states of the Federation would test the application. The pilot test will take place from February 19 to March 1, 2024”.
He said pensioners would be required to download the Military Pensions Board Electronic Verification Application from the Google Play Store (for Android Phone users) or the AppStore (for iPhone users).
He, however, cautioned retirees against sharing their ATM details, stating that such information is unnecessary for the verification exercise.