Senator Ubah Backs Calls For Exit Of Police From Pension Scheme

Anambra South Senator and candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the 2023 Anambra South senatorial election, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, has called for the exit of Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which is being run and managed by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

Senator Ubah made the call on Friday during a one-day public hearings on the Police Pension Board (Establishment) Bill 2022 (SB. 1009), which is sponsored by Senator Elisha Abbo (Adamawa North, APC), and the Nigerian Police Special Forces (Establishment) Bill 2022 (SB. 846) sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South, APC).

Speaking at the event, which was organised by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Ubah asked representatives of PENCOM to explain to Nigerians why the pensions of retired Police personnel remains under the control of the Commission while other security agencies have separate units under their control that manage their own pensions.

The Anambra South Senator further maintained that in the spirit of equity and justice, the Police Force like other security agencies, should be allowed to manage pensions of its retired personnel.

Also speaking at the event, the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Usman Baba, represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police Sanusi Lemu, said the Police required a separate board for management and administration of pensions of retired police personnel in the mode of the Military Pension Board.

The IGP further argued that exiting the Contributory Pension Scheme being run and managed by PENCOM was long over due for the Police on account of poor services.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Dauda Haliru Jika, in his presentation, also maintained that the Police deserve same special treatment being enjoyed by other security agencies.

Also in their separate remarks, the sponsors of the Bills further threw their weight behind calls for exit of Nigeria Police Force from Contributory Pension Scheme and expressed hope that the Bill will be passed by the National Assembly.

In their separate presentations, representatives of PENCOM, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria and Nigerian Labour Congress, argued that retaining the management of pensions of retired Police personnel under PENCOM was a decision made by the Federal Government to avoid sending the country back to dark ages.

They further argued that the exit of the Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme shall breed avoidable liability for the country.

However, members of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs and the Inspector-General of Police maintained their support for the Bill.

The Senate Committee on Police Affairs is expected to present its report to the upper chamber when it reconvenes on Tuesday.