The violation of the Pension Law which was enacted by the sixth Assembly by the Government of that time has been identified as being responsible for pensioners inability to access pension contributions in the state.
This being part of their various submissions while debating on the “Rivers State Pension Reform Bill 2019” on the floor of the House.
Commencing debate, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Martin Amaewhule disclosed that previous law which was enacted by the 6th assembly had 4 components namely Accrued Rights, Employees Contribution, Employers Contributions and Death Benefit, regretting that most of the components were violated by the government at the time.
He said it not true that Pensioners are being owed in the state but that only those affected by the pension scheme are the ones having challenges and expressed hope that the Bill when passed into law would remove all impediments witnessed on the old law which made it impossible for pensioners to access their pension contributions.
“It might interest you to know Mr Speaker that from 2009 up till 2015 the government of Chibuike Amaechi never implemented that law” even when the law was amended in 2012, he did not implement the law”
“Mr Speaker what this bill intends to do is to first of all see to it that we repeal these two laws that are in existence as at today and consolidate them and come up with things that would make them better than what we have currently, but the key thing Mr Speaker is that the moment this House passes this bill and the Executive gives assent to it, the implication would be that those impediments that are attached to the release of the contribution of these pensioners would be removed and they can now access their funds with the pension administrators”, he submitted.
On his part Hon Sam Ogeh representing Emohua constitiency said part of the problem with the old law was the failure of the employer and the civil servants to contribute to the pension fund.
He said even when monies were deducted from the salaries of civil servants such deduction were not remitted to the pension administrators. Ogeh further submitted that all the previous laws be harmonized to ensure that all parties benefit.
“Both the employer and the employee were not contributing to this arrangement, in fact eben when monies were being deducted from the employees, the board responsible for this deduction do not remit to PENCOM and on retirement, the pensioner goes to PENCOM to find out that there is nothing for him.”
Other lawmakers who spoke in support of the bill include Hon Friday Nkee, Hon Benibo Anabraba, Hon Enemo George and Hon Mathew Dike.
The Bill was however committed to the House committee on the Secretary to State Government, Head of Service and Pensions to conduct public hearing and report back to the House in two weeks.
