Rivers State Pensioners have called on the state government to speed up the planned amendment of the Rivers State Contributory Pension Law.
Pensioners in the state during a peaceful protest at the state secretariat over their unpaid pensions and gratuities by the state Government state that while it is a welcomed development that government plans to review the law, it is necessary that government acts very fast before the coming election.
The pensioners who spoke to newsmen at the scene of the protest “We are here today to tell the government that we appreciate what they have done and that we want them to expedite action on that amendment.
“This is because one thing is saying it, another thing is doing it. We want them not to make this statement a political statement.
“It should be a statement that is backed up by actions. Let them back it up by presenting the bill before the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“The purpose of our being here today is to say government thank you for what you have done and we want you to expedite action”.
Mr Rufus Godwins, the Rivers State head of service who was represented by the permanent secretary in the office of the Head of Service, Mr Nnamdi Opu, assured them that the state government is willing to meet their demands.
According to him: “The biometric is carried out here in this service. As soon as the first huddle is cleared, the next thing is to invite all of you.
“All your records are there, nothing is lost, so you will be invited. There is no way that you will be a pensioner without being captured on biometric. Biometric will come with ID cards.”
