Rivers Solidarity for Good Governance, a local advocacy organization has voiced strong concerns about a new government initiative requiring thousands of retired workers to undergo a fresh verification process.
The move, intended to update pension records, has been labeled as hazardous and ill-considered by critics who fear it could lead to chaos and health risks for vulnerable elderly individuals.
Opuoyibo Lilly-West, who leads the Rivers Solidarity for Good Governance as its director general, highlighted the potential dangers in a recent statement.
He pointed out that the state’s acting head of service, Dr. Inyingi Brown, had issued a directive for all pensioners on the government payroll to appear in person for re-verification over just six days.
This short timeframe, according to Lilly-West, ignores the physical limitations of many retirees, some of whom are in their 80s or 90s and may struggle with mobility or health issues.
The verification exercise demands that participants bring specific documents, including their bank verification number complete with a photo, a recent passport photograph, and their pension identification card.
Scheduled to run from the 14th to the 19th of the month, the process aims to ensure accuracy in the state’s pension system.
However, Lilly-West argued that cramming such a large group, estimated at over 16,000 people, into a compressed period is a recipe for disaster.
He recalled a previous incident where a similar event at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre resulted in a stampede, underscoring the real threats involved.
Lilly-West, drawing from his experience as a former chairman of the Rivers State Civil Service Union, questioned the urgency behind the decision.
With the state’s six-month emergency rule set to end in about a month, he wondered why officials were pushing forward now. “How can they expect to handle a biometric check for so many aged parents in such a brief window?” he asked, emphasizing the emotional toll on families who rely on these pensions for survival.
He also raised eyebrows about a parallel effort to verify over 46,000 active civil servants within the same limited time, suggesting it reflects a broader disregard for worker welfare under the current administration.
The state administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has defended the initiative through his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo. They maintain that the goal is to root out any fraudulent activities within the civil service, not to disadvantage legitimate beneficiaries.
An unnamed official from the head of service’s office dismissed Lilly-West’s claims as unfounded, assuring that proper arrangements have been made to create a smooth and safe environment for everyone involved.
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This controversy comes at a time when pension management remains a hot-button issue across Nigeria, where delays and inefficiencies often leave retirees in financial hardship.
In Rivers State, known for its oil-rich economy and bustling ports, such disputes highlight ongoing tensions between government efficiency drives and the human needs of public servants.
Many pensioners in the region have long complained about irregular payments and bureaucratic hurdles, which can exacerbate poverty among the elderly population.
Advocates like Lilly-West argue that alternative methods, such as digital submissions or extended timelines, could achieve the same objectives without endangering lives.
They call for a more compassionate approach that considers the dignity of those who have dedicated years to public service. As the verification dates approach, community leaders are urging pensioners to prioritize their safety and seek support from family members if they must attend.
The situation has sparked wider discussions in Rivers about governance during transitional periods, like the current emergency rule. Residents hope that future policies will better balance administrative goals with the well-being of citizens, ensuring that efforts to clean up systems do not come at the cost of human lives.
For now, the debate underscores the challenges of managing public resources in a state where economic pressures and demographic realities demand thoughtful solutions.
