A MEMBER of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South), says he has sponsored a bill to set a minimum pension benchmark of N40,000 to N50,000 for retirees in the state.
Akya made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Makurdi. The lawmaker stated that the proposed legislation was aimed at harmonising pension payments and ensuring that no pensioner earned below the stipulated threshold.
He described the current situation, where some retirees received as little as N4,000 monthly after 35 years of service, as unacceptable.
The legislator noted that he had taken it as a personal challenge to ensure that pensioners in the state were properly cared for, because they were senior citizens who deserved dignity and financial security.
He explained that the bill would address disparities in pension administration by preventing any Benue governor from selectively paying pensions and gratuities.
According to him, the legislation will compel successive administrations to clear arrears and treat all retirees equally, regardless of when they left service.
Akya also highlighted plans to reform the verification process by deploying technology and decentralising the exercise.
“Instead of requiring pensioners to travel to Makurdi, the officials of the pension board will visit them in their local governments to ease stress and reduce costs,” Akya said. (NAN)
