Pension directorate DG suspended over ‘scam’

An alleged scam running into billions of naira has been discovered at the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) of the federal ministry of finance, TheCable understands.

The details of the alleged scam are still sketchy, but the director-general, Nellie Mayshak, has been placed on indefinite suspension while investigation goes on.

Security agents have already swooped on the office to carry out investigation after a damning audit report.

The acting DG is a director from the office of accountant-general of federation, sources informed TheCable.

TheCable learnt that the recently introduced biometric registration by banks exposed a lot of questionable dealings in the directorate.

An official of PTAD who spoke with TheCable said there was no scam.

“The DG is on suspension as a result of an investigation into an audit report. It is not about any billions stolen,” the official said.

PTAD was established in August 2013 under the Pension Reform Act (PRA) of 2004 to oversee the management of pensions under the defined benefit scheme for pensioners not transiting to the defined contributory scheme.

Previous investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have revealed the ulcered underbelly of pension management in the country.

On November 2, 2015, Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the Pension‎ Reform Task Team, a committee set up to clean up the pension system, was declared wanted by the anti-graft agency for alleged complicity in the stealing of N2bn pension funds.

He was said to have connived with Stephen Oronsaye, former head of the federal civil service, who is now facing trial at the federal high court, Abuja, for the alleged offence.‎

Also, on March 8, one Mohammed Ahmed Katun, a former assistant director, Pension Account, office of the head of service of the federation,was arraigned on a 12-count amended charge bordering on diversion of pension funds to tune of N81.4m before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of federal high court, Abuja‎.

The woman Nellie Mayshak

Reproduced below is the official profile of the DG on the website of PTAD.

Nellie Mayshak is the pioneer Director General of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) which was established in August 2013 in compliance with the Pension Reform Act (PRA) of 2004, as an independent pension agency for the Public Service of the Federation. PTAD oversees the management of pensions under the Defined Benefit Scheme for pensioners not transiting to the defined contributory scheme.

Prior to her appointment as DG, Nellie was the National Programme Manager for the Federal Public Administration Reform Programme, a UK Government/ Federal Government of Nigeria collaboration to reform the Public Service of Nigeria. The FEPAR programme worked with leaders of core central FGN institutions to improve core systems and processes for policy, budget and civil service management.

Nellie is an international development expert with over 25 years experience in public sector management, both in Canada and internationally. Nellie’s particular expertise is in institutional strengthening of government structures and processes and building capacity for effective public policy management, reform management and coordination.

Nellie has been involved in international development projects in Eastern Europe, China and many African countries, including Angola, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, South Africa and Sudan.

A few highlights:

• Nellie led the reconstruction of the Civil Service of Liberia, a post conflict country with a collapsed public service. She worked with senior government officials to develop the first ever Civil Service Reform Strategy that is being implemented in the Country. In Liberia, Nellie had the privilege of being of service to the first elected female President in Africa, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Hosting Her Excellency in workshops and briefing sessions with Her Excellency are personal and professional high points.
• Another professional highlight was Ghana. Nellie led a long running institutional development project in the office of the President in the Government of Ghana to improve the operational processes for Cabinet decision-making and the policy management capacity of senior officials.
• Nellie has advised the Kenya Prime Minister’s Office, and the Uganda Cabinet Office.
• Of notable reference is Nellie’s experience from her work in reforming the public administration of Lithuania into the EU.

Prior to her consulting practice, Nellie worked in senior management positions in the Ontario (Canada) Public Service where she gained extensive practical experience while performing in high profile positions as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Cabinet Office, Policy Advisory to the Solicitor General and Minister of Correctional Services, Director of Research for a Justice Commission, among others. For a number of years, Nellie also served as the Deputy Director for International Programs at the institute of Public Administration of Canada, IPAC.

Nellie holds a BA from the University of Ife, MA in Sociology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. She also completed all but the dissertation requirements towards a doctorate in Sociology from the University of Toronto, Canada.