Politics
RVHA Set To Amend Pensions Law
Proceeding in the State House of Assembly has commenced in full swig with members deliberating over the newly promoted Rivers State Pension Reform bill 2019.
The House had, penultimate week, deferred legislative business in honour of those who lost their lives during the just concluded presidential, guber and House of Assembly elections in the state.
Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani has underscored why the lawmakers had to honour those who lost their lives during the elections with a minute silence.
With a Solemn mood, the House had to defer proceedings to last Tuesday when a letter from the Governor conveying the executive bill on the pension reform law was read on the flow of the House.
Shortly after the bill was read, the leader of the House, Hon. Martin Amaewhule pushed for a motion for it to be adopted, and the bill without hesitation passed a first reading.
According to Amaewhule, the bill is aimed at repealing the state Contributory Pension law of 2012. He opined that once it passes into law, it will address the short comings currently witnessed in the existing pension law.
In addition, the speaker observed that it will end the pains of pensioners who over the years have suffered hardship due to their inability to access their pension contributions over the years.
Ikuinyi pointed that the bill was a response by the State Government to the plight of retirees , as the administration of Chief Neysom Wike has the welfare of workers at heart.
When the House resumed last Thursday, the pension reform bill took centre stage again as debate followed after the speaker opened the floor for contributions by the lawmakers .
Majority leaders, Martins Amaewhule said the bill was historic as impediment in the old pension law will be removed.
He said, “the bill has four major components, and it include the occurred, rights for those who have retired, secondly those who have not been covered will the included, thirdly employers contribution will be effected and fourth death benefits will also be computed.
Amaewhule was of the view that many of these components were unable to be implemented due to shortfall in compliance the employer was unable to make contribution making it difficult for employees to access their monies.
The majority leader observed that the bill will consolidate the old laws by injecting efficiency and thus if it’s assented to by the governor all set backs will be addressed.
He added, “Let nobody be misinformed that pension is not being paid by the state government but because of the current situation it was difficult to do so”.
Other members, who contributed their views to the new bill include, Hon Michael Chinda, Sam Ogeh, Friday Nkece, Mathew Dike, Blessing Pepple, Enemi George Alabo, Christian, Ahiakwo, Deputy speaker Marshall Uwom, and minority leader, Benebo Anabraba.
The bill is now at committee stage as preparation for public hearing commences in full gear.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
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