Pensioners in the state will from henceforth enjoy regular benefits of their pension.
This is sequel to the passage of the Rivers State Contributory Pension Reform Bill, 2018 into Law by the state Legislature.
The bill which is seeking to remove all the hiccups that have impeded the proper implementation of the pension law in the state by repealing the Rivers state contributory pension scheme law of 2012, is also seeking to establish a scheme for all Pensionable employees in the public service of the state, employees of Local Government Councils, Tertiary Institutions and all Parastals established by the State Government.
Chronicling the benefits of the bill on employees of the State Civil Service, the lawmakers further said that the scheme shall not apply to public and political office holders in accordance with the Rivers State public and political (Amendment) Law (No 2 of 2007).
On her part, Hon. Victoria Nyeche argued that the percentage to be contributed by the employer ought to be ten percent, while the employee contributes five percent, while Hon. Matthew Dike said provision should be made in the new law for allied matters as it concerns the health care of the pensioners.
Speaker of the house, Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani at the end of the debate while noting that all pension units in the state will be aligned under the new law, warned that any government employee that is due for retirement but attempts to reduce his age will be sanctioned.
He expressed optimism that new law which he described as equitable enough would bring succour to the pensioners while addressing what ever they have suffered in the state by virtue of the repealed law.
Meanwhile, the House deferred debate on two other bills: The Rivers State Environmental Protection And Management Bill, 2018 and the Rivers State Health Care Facilities Registration Bill, 2018 to another legislative day.
