By Christy Aboghe
The Delta State Government has issued a strong warning against fraudulent individuals demanding money under the guise of facilitating pension payments.
The government, however, urged retirees and the general public to be vigilant and report such persons for severe sanctions.
The warning was handed down by Chairman of Delta State Bureau for State Pensions, Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje, who expressed concerns over continued reports of unscrupulous persons placing repeated calls and sending text messages to retirees, requesting financial gratification to fast-track the payment of their pension benefits.
The Bureau noted that the impostors often masquerade as officials or agents of the Bureau, deploying various deceptive tactics, including promises of speedy processing to defraud unsuspecting and anxious retirees.
According to the statement, such practices Wwere completely alien to the bureau’s operations, as no payments were required from retirees for the processing of their pension benefits. The bureau emphasized that the Delta State Government has already made adequate financial provisions to clear a significant portion of outstanding pension claims relating to accrued rights and harmonization.
To further ensure transparency and efficiency, the statement disclosed that His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, has constituted a committee to expeditiously supervise the pension payment process.
The Bureau, therefore urged Deltans, particularly retirees and their relatives, to disregard and report any calls or messages demanding money as a condition for pension processing. Members of the public were advised to discreetly report such incidents through the Bureau’s whistle-blower telephone line, 09139987552, to enable prompt action and the apprehension of those involved.
Ogidi-Gbegbaje reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to protecting pensioners and ensuring the smooth and lawful payment of their entitlements.
