The Military Pensions Board, MPB will commence the distribution of new combo identification cards to military pensioners in seven states beginning from Monday Feb. 13, 2017.

A statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the board’s spokesman, Squadron Leader Ikenna Ezendu, said only pensioners who had their last verification in Adamawa, Edo, Enugu, Kano, Kogi, Oyo, and Ebonyi states would collect their cards in the first phase of the distribution exercise.

The combo identification card is a unique smart card that will be used by military pensioners both as a means of identification and for financial transactions.

Ezendu said the distribution of the combo cards was in line with the present board’s vision of enhancing pension administration as well as improving the welfare of military pensioners.

He said all eligible military pensioners are requested to come along with their last verification print out and other relevant documents for clearance before collection.

According to the MPB schedule, pensioners in Adamawa will collect their cards at the Gibson Jalo Cantonment, Yola, while those in Edo will get their cards at the 4 Brigade Headquarters, Benin.

For pensioners in Enugu, the 82 Division Headquarters, Enugu will serve as their collection centre while those in Kano are to proceed to Bukavu Barracks for collection of their cards.

The Chari-Maigumeri Cantonment, Lokoja is the collection centre for pensioners in Kogi State while their counterparts in Oyo state would get theirs at the Odogbo Cantonment, Ibadan.

The final collection center in the first phase of the distribution exercise is the 24 Support Engineering Regiment, Ebonyi State, where pensioners are expected to collect their new cards.

“It is also pertinent to note that the MPB will announce, in due course, dates for the distribution of combo cards for military pensioners in centres not listed in this notice,” the statement quoted Ezendu as saying.

The chairman of MPB had in 2016 hinted the board’s plans to produce and distribute smart cards to military pensioners to ease both their identification and financial transactions. (NAN)

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