- LASG to Merge Pensioners’ Data With BVN
The Lagos State Government is set to merge the biometric data of its pensioners with their Bank Verification Numbers for easy withdrawal of pensions.
The consultant to the Lagos State Government on an ongoing verification of pensioners, Mr. Taiwo Popoola, stated this in Lagos.
When completed, he noted that only the thumbprint of each retiree would be required by their bank to withdraw their pensions.
Popoola, who is of the Taiwo Popoola and Co, said that frequent pensioners’ verification had been due to inability to generate biometric information that could be used to verify pensioners’ banking transactions.
He also blamed the frequency of the verification on the failure of relatives to report death of retirees.
The consultant said that there was a database for Lagos State pensioners but it needed to be cleansed regularly due to lack of biometric information.
“This exercise will capture biometrics and obtain the BVN to trigger validation. Provision of the BVN is critical to this assignment,’’ Popoola said.
According to him, about 9,000 Lagos State pensioners are participating in the exercise in selected local government secretariats.
Popoola said that provision had been made for the retirees’ comfort as they would stay under a controlled environment.
“We provided sequence numbering to avoid stampede. Government hospitals close to verification centres have been put on alert to provide prompt ambulance services, if required.’’
Meanwhile some of the retirees have hailed the state government for putting in place logistics to make the verification easy.
One of them, Mrs. Veronica Edoh, who was at the verification centre in Surulere Local Government Secretariat, said there was provision of a hall with enough seats for the pensioners.