The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in Plateau State has rejected the proposed Pension Allowance Bill for former speakers, deputy speakers, principal officers and members of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
The coalition viewed the bill as ill-timed, self-serving and inconsistent with the principles of accountable, transparent and people-centred governance.
A statement issued by the convener, Steve Aluko, in Jos regretted that the pension bill came at a time the state was grappling with economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and competing development priorities.
He argued that the coalition believed that legislation creating additional lifetime financial obligations for former political office holders cannot be justified and does not reflect the aspirations or immediate needs of the people.
According to the Coalition they are particularly disturbed by the manner in which the bill was handled adding that reports indicate that it passed its First and Second Readings on the same day without sufficient legislative scrutiny or public engagement.
“ Equally concerning is that the contents of the bill have not been made publicly accessible, denying citizens, civil society, labour unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders the opportunity to examine provisions that seek to commit public resources.
The apparent absence of a public hearing for a bill with significant fiscal implications undermines transparency, weakens public confidence in the legislative process and contradicts the principles of participatory democracy.”
According to the Coalition, Plateau State requires policies that stimulate economic growth, strengthen public services and improve the welfare of citizens not legislation that appears to prioritize the interests of a few over the collective good.
The Coalition of CSOs therefore called on the Plateau State House of Assembly to immediately halt further consideration of the bill, make its full contents publicly available and subject it to a transparent public hearing involving citizens, labour unions, pensioners, professional bodies, civil society organizations and economic experts.
They further urged the Executive to withhold assent should the bill be transmitted in its current form.
“We unequivocally oppose any legislation that is self-serving, economically burdensome and disconnected from the realities of the people. Plateau State deserves laws that advance inclusive economic development, promote fiscal responsibility and place the interests of citizens above those of political office holders.”
It will be recalled that the Plateau State House of Assembly has passed for second reading a Bill for a Law to provide for the Establishment of the Plateau State House of Assembly Service Pension Board and for Other Related Matters, 2025.
The motion for the second reading was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Joseph Gokum, and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Rt.Hon. Madaki Isa Ajiji.
Presenting the synopsis of the Bill, the Majority Leader explained that the proposed legislation seeks to establish the Plateau State House of Assembly Service Pension Board to administer pension matters for staff of the Assembly Service in an efficient, transparent and accountable manner.
He noted that the Bill would provide a legal framework for the effective management and payment of pensions and other retirement benefits, thereby strengthening the welfare of legislative staff.
Contributing to the debate, member representing Langtang North Central Constituency, Hon. Daniel Nanbol Listick, and his Mangu South counterpart, Hon. Mathew Sylvanus Kwarpo, expressed support for the Bill.
They observed that the proposed Pension Board would require competent professionals and modern technology to ensure effective service delivery.
The lawmakers further noted that since the Plateau State House of Assembly now operates as an autonomous arm of government, it has become imperative to establish a House of Assembly Service Pension Board to effectively manage pension and retirement benefits for its workforce.
