Rivers State pension bill reforms 2019 has scaled first reading at the floor of the house of assembly.
Retired civil servants in the state throughout 2018, protested the lack of payment of their emoluments by the state government.
They accused the state government of insensitivity, stressing that many of their colleagues have died while waiting for their entitlements.
However, the state government said it could not pay its own part of pension due to a law enacted during the administration of Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.
It subsequently promised to repeal the law.
Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly who also represents Obio/Akpor Constituency 1 laid before the house the Rivers State Pension Reform Bill, 2019 which is an Executive Bill.
The bill seeks to repeal the Rivers State Contributory Pension Scheme for Employees in the Public Service Law (No.7 of 2009) and the Rivers State Contributory Pension Scheme for Employees Law ( Amendment No.1 of 2012).
The Majority Leader announced that when passed the bill will substantially eliminate the impediments associated with the implementation of the Pension Scheme in the State.
He further stated that the bill will eradicate the inherent challenges with the existing legal and policy frameworks for effective pension administration in the State and put smiles on the faces of Pensioners.
Second Reading of the Bill will take place on Thursday 11th April, 2019 at 10am to allow for debate by lawmakers before a Public Hearing in line with the Standing Orders of the House.
