Plateau NLC to picket Assembly over lawmakers’ pension bill

…Threatens July 30 shutdown, says legislators must not seek lifetime benefits while pensioners suffer

By Golok Nanmwa

JOS – The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Plateau State has announced plans to picket the Plateau State House of Assembly on July 30 over the proposed bill seeking pension and retirement benefits for members of the legislature.

The NLC, backed by the Trade Union Congress, TUC, and the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Plateau State, described the proposed legislation as anti-people, self-serving and insensitive, warning that the protest would continue until the bill was withdrawn.

The position was made known on Wednesday during a joint press conference in Jos.

Speaking at the briefing, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Plateau State Council, Comrade Eugene Manji, said organised labour would resist every attempt by lawmakers to pass the bill, insisting that legislators should focus on making laws that improve the welfare of the people rather than pursuing personal benefits.

Manji accused members of the Assembly of abusing the autonomy granted to state legislatures by promoting policies that serve their personal interests.

According to him, organised labour and civil society groups fought for legislative autonomy to strengthen democratic governance, not to encourage self-enrichment.

“We are picketing the Plateau State House of Assembly on July 30, and we will remain there until this bill is withdrawn. We have the capacity to sustain the protest if necessary,” he said.

He called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to intervene and stop the proposed legislation, warning that allowing it to pass could generate unnecessary tension in the state.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Plateau State Council, Comrade Kenneth Shammah, described the proposed pension package as insensitive, particularly at a time the state was still struggling to clear pension arrears dating back to 1986.

“It is unfortunate that while the government is battling to clear pension arrears, lawmakers who have served only four years want to place themselves on lifetime pension.

“Many parents of these lawmakers are still waiting to receive their pensions. We reject the bill in its entirety,” he said.

Shammah argued that legislators remained capable of contributing to society after leaving office and should not depend on lifetime pensions after serving a single tenure.

On his part, the Convener of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Plateau State, Mr. Steve Aluko , aligned with Labour’s position, describing the bill as undemocratic, extortionist and against the principles of transparency and accountability.

He said public office was meant for service and not personal enrichment.

“If this bill is not withdrawn, we will join organised labour in shutting down the State House of Assembly until the lawmakers retrace their steps,” he said.

The coalition also warned that it would publish the names of lawmakers sponsoring the bill and mobilise their constituents against them, urging Plateau residents, religious organisations and other stakeholders to support the planned protest.

As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State House of Assembly had yet to officially respond to the position of the labour unions and civil society organisations.

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