Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has pledged to ensure that retired police officers, like other security personnel, are exited from the Contributory Pension Scheme.
He gave the assurance on Thursday while meeting with the leadership of retired police officers at his office, noting that the matter would be fast-tracked and coordinated with the House of Representatives, which has already passed a bill addressing the retirees’ concerns.
According to Jackson Udom, Special Assistant on Media to the Senate President, Akpabio said, “From what you have told us, the policy was not well thought out. You can disperse from the gate; this issue will soon be resolved. By next Tuesday, we will align with the House and produce an Act exiting you from the Scheme. I am confident President Bola Tinubu, being a listening President, will sign it into law. The Scheme is not suitable for security personnel.”
He added, “If the Military, DSS, NIA, and other security agencies have exited, there is no reason why the Police should remain. You all served together to fight insecurity. What applies to one should apply to all. We will ensure the Scheme is applied uniformly, from the Inspector General down to the last constable.”
Akpabio also noted that some policies are adopted without fully considering their consequences, saying, “Sometimes our country is quick to adopt policies without thinking through the implications. If due diligence had been observed, many of you wouldn’t have suffered”.
In his remarks, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, praised Akpabio’s swift intervention, describing it as a demonstration of the Senate’s commitment to fairness and the welfare of retired security personnel.
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