Legislators Reassure Retirees

Proceedings at the State House of Assembly last week included public hearing for two bills: the Rivers State Arbitration bills and the State Multidoor Court House bill.
That same Wednesday while the public hearing was ongoing, protesting retirees who were formerly under the services of the State Government marched into the Assembly premises.
Chief Whip of the Assembly and member representing Ogu/Bolo State Constituency, Hon. Evans Bipi, addressed the retirees on behalf of the speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani.
Hon. Bipi told the retirees that the House shared in their plight hence the recent move by the Executive to review the State Contributory pension scheme.
The Chief Whip urged them to be patient as the House was studying the controversial pension scheme in order to align it with the yearnings of the workers.
For now, he assured the retirees that the House was yet to begin review of the law, but stressed that by January next year the process will begin, as it will take sometime.
Hon. Bipi promised the protesters that when once the process of review began, they will be involved in the public hearing so they, the retirees can make their input in making a new pension law for the state.
At the public hearing for the new state Arbitration bill 2018, stakeholders had praised the legislation as it will enhance alternative dispute resolution of cases in the court.
Representative of International Education of Women Lawyers, Barrister Nancy Obinwa said, “we are in full support and we want the bill to be quickly passed into law.
Speaking on behalf of the state chairperson of the Institute of chartered Arbitrators, Akinola Akinoju observed that the importance of alternative dispute resolution is overdue.
In the words of Akinoyu, “the bill will set the state as the seat of arbitration in Nigeria”.
He however picked holes in section I arguing that the object of arbitration was to obtain fair resolution of dispute. In addition, we noted that section 9 should be couched in such a way as to ensure that arbitration laws of other countries were not forced on the country.
For the Multi-Door Court House bill 2018, permanent secretary of the state Ministry of Justice, Mrs Florence Fiberesima, said the law will expand access to justice and options for justice delivery.
Head of Legal Team of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rivers State, Deacon Promise Uchegbu, commended the state Government for initiating the bill reasoning that it will help the Church insetting cases as provided by alleviative dispute resolution window chairman of House committee on judiciary. Sam Oge said all views will be collected for making the law encompassing.

By: Kevin Nengia