Ex-NITEL/MTEL workers kick against FG, PTAD over monthly payment plan

Former workers of Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL) and its mobile arm, Mobile telecommunication Limited (Mtel) under the aegis of Association of Former Telecoms Employees of Nigeria (ATEN) has directed its members not to participate in the proposed verification exercise by Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) through which they will be placed on monthly pension as against the 20 years pension buy out awarded by the liquidation Court in 2014.

The move by ATEN is against the federal government proposed verification exercise by PTAD placing members of the Association of Former Telecoms Employees of Nigeria (ATEN) on monthly pension as against the 20years pension.

In a statement yesterday in Benin City President (ATEN), Oluti Gabriel, condemned the federal government position subjecting her members to monthly payments by PTAD as against the 20 years pension buy out awarded by the liquidation Court in 2014.

Oluti who urged its members not to participate in the proposed verification exercise by PTAD, said the directive is as a result of the Association awaiting ECOWAS Court Judgment on the action of Federal Government particularly with the involvement of PTAD in their payment plan.

Oluti said,” We are awaiting ECOWAS Court Judgment on the action of Federal Government especially as it concerns PTAD. The approval given by Federal Government for payment which PTAD is currently handling, was on court judgment paper with the supporting documents from the liquidation Court and the failure of the Federal Government to instruct PTAD to allow the rule of law to take its course in this matter.”

He added that the Association’s decision for all parties to await the Ecowas Court Judgment on the action of Federal is to maintain the integrity of ATEN as an Association that will not betray the confidence of its members by capitulating to support illegality.

Former workers of Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL) and its mobile arm, the mobile telecommunication Limited (Mtel) under the aegis of Association of Former Telecoms Employees of Nigeria (ATEN) had approached the ECOWAS court of Justice in suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/32/17 for an order of mandamus against the federal government and its concerned agencies.