National Assembly To Transmit Police Pension Bill For Tinubu’s Assent Next Week

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

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

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

The House had last month passed the bill seeking to establish Nigerian Police Force Pension Board charged with the responsibility of administering the pension scheme for the personnel of the force and exempt it from the Contributory Pension Scheme.

Yalleman 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 earlier adopted a motion directing its leadership to liaise with the Senate to expedite concurrence on the bill to fast-track the establishment of the Police Pension Board.

He 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.

Also, the Chairman of the House Committee on Pensions, Hon. Hussein Jalo, affirmed that the process had been concluded in the House and transmitted to the Senate for concurrence

“I believe there is no need to keep protesting. We understand they just 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.