National Assembly To Transmit Police Pension Bill For Assent Next Week

Barring last-minute changes, the National Assembly is expected to transmit the bill seeking the establishment of the Nigeria Police Force Pension Board and exemption of the force from the contributory pension scheme to President Bola Tinubu for assent next week.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Abubakar Makki Yalleman, gave this indication while briefing journalists in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Yalleman spoke on the heels of the weeks-long protest by retired police officers at the National Assembly gate, over challenges associated with their pensions.

The House passed a bill last month seeking to establish the Nigerian Police Force Pension Board, which would be charged with administering the pension scheme for the force’s personnel and exempting it from the Contributory Pension Scheme.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Police Affairs Committee noted that the House had completed all legislative work on the bill and transmitted it to the Senate for concurrence.

According to him, the House had earlier adopted a motion directing its leadership to liaise with the Senate to expedite concurrence on the bill, aiming to fast-track the establishment of the Police Pension Board.

Yalleman appealed to the protesting police retirees to vacate the National Assembly gate as their concerns had already been addressed.

“We have interacted with the retirees several times. All their prayers were considered. The bill passed first, second and third readings. It was approved and transmitted to the Senate on October 28.

“God willing, by next week, the bill will be forwarded to the President for assent. Their agitation has been fully addressed.

“Those at the gate know everything has been done. Since the House has completed its part, there is no need for further protest,” he said.

Additionally, the Chairman of the House Committee on Pensions, Hon. Hussein Jalo, confirmed that the process had been completed in the House and transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.

“I believe there is no need to keep protesting. We understand they want to be on their own, just like the military, the DSS, and others,” he said.

Similarly, spokesman of the House, Hon. Akin Rotimi, noted that the Green Chamber had comprehensively addressed the issues, showing that it is a listening House of the people.