Bill to exempt police from contributory pension passes second reading at reps

A bill to exempt the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from the contributory pension scheme has passed second reading at the House of Representatives.

The bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Pension Reform Act, 2014 to Provide for Exemption of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme; and for Related Matters” was presented by Francis Ejiroghene Waive (PDP, Delta) at the plenary on Tuesday.

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Presenting the bill, the lawmaker said retired police personnel are passing through difficult times after leaving service.

He said while their pension is meagre compared with other security agencies, the contributory pension is an impediment to their access to benefits.

He, therefore, urged that, Section 5 (1) of the Pension Reform Act 2014 should be amended to remove the NPF personnel from the scheme.

While supporting the bill, Shehu Koko (APC,Kebbi), who is a retired police officer, said he collects N23,000 as monthly pension.

He said the situation of retired police officers in the country is pathetic.

He said that the country needs to appreciate their contribution to the security and wellbeing of Nigeria in terms of security.

After the debate, the House passed the bill for second reading and referred it to the House committee on pensions.

Retired police officers were at the National Assembly on Tuesday, waving placards and singing solidarity songs to press home their demands.

The retired officers called on the National Assembly to remove them from the contributory pension scheme.