Reps want retirement age of PLWDs increased from 65 to 70

The House of Representatives yesterday passed for second reading an amendment bill seeking to increase the retirement age of people living with disabilities (PLWDs) from 65 to 70 or 40 years in service.

The sponsor, Babajimi Benson, said the amendment sought to address some defects noticed in the Principal Act by amending Sections 30 and 32 of the Principal Act and rearranging Sections 30-58 as Sections 30-59. 

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The amendment, he said, would include an insertion of a subsection 30 (1) which provides for an increase in the retirement age and term of service from 65 to 70 years or 40 years of service, whichever comes first. 

He said the second amendment sought to ensure that chairman of the National Commission for Persons Living with Disability is someone living with disability who must however possess requisite qualifications for that position. 

Benson said the rationale behind the amendment was to further ensure that persons living with disability are fairly treated to ensure equity and justice. 

“It is also to give them the opportunity to fully participate in the decision-making process of the Commission that oversees their affairs. This is a standard procedure in most developed and developing countries and Nigeria should not be left out”, he said.