The Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria said it had commenced the training of operators aimed at enrolling 70 million workers from the informal, private and public sectors under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
According to a statement obtained from PenOp on Sunday, its Executive Secretary, Ms. Susan Oranye, noted that executives of the National Pension Commission trained the operators on key procedures such as basic calculation of fund pricing, differences between programmed withdrawals and annuity, death benefit requirements and new initiatives in the sector.
She said the training, held in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, provided opportunities for the workers to share knowledge and initiate measures to tackle challenges affecting their operations.
According to her, the training and other measures adopted by the association were geared towards making adequate provisions for workers presently covered by the scheme and those that would be integrated through recent initiatives taken by PenCom and the association.
“We are aware that there are approximately 176 million people in this country and about 70 million people in the workforce and currently, we have about 6.4 million in the Contributory Pension Scheme,” she stated.
Oranye noted that PenOp recently concluded its customers’ service training in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos.
“It was extremely exciting and interactive. The focus of the training was to build the capacity, knowledge base and confidence of the workers, especially those who are at the front line in the organisation they work for,” she said.
According to her, the pension industry has seen changes in the procedures, required documentation and other issues.
“We felt that it was important that all the representatives, staff members who have face to face contact with customers and the general public on a daily basis are brought up to date regarding all the changes, processes and documentation required. We do not want any of them to offer substandard customers service, hence, the need for the training,” Oranye stated.
She said PenOp recognised the fact that a lot needed to be done pending the time the guideline permitting informal sector workers to join the CPS would be released.
According to her, the operators want to ensure that they are prepared and knowledgeable to meet whatever enquiry and provide the services that are required.
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