The Pension Reform Bill 2019 which was submitted to the Rivers State House of Assembly by the State Governor, Nyesom Wike for passage into law has been described as a new beginning for pensioners in the state.

The lawmaker representing Bonny constituency in the State Assembly, Abinye Pepple stated this today via a statement by his Special Assistant on Communication, Jewel Atedoughu Bright.

He hailed the advancement of the bill to the Assembly

“The Rivers State Pension Reform Bill, as put forward by His Excellency, Chief (Barr.) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS Africa, is a new beginning for pensioners, and its enactment will change their story in the State”.

Pepple, who seconded the motion for second reading on the floor of the Assembly as moved by the Majority Leader, Martin Amaewhule, urged his colleagues to give the bill the required impetus and support it needs to scale through.

He assured of his determined support to ensure that the bill received the attention and diligent passage it required to be of maximum benefit to pensioners in the State, explaining that when the house considers the bill on a clause by clause basis, he intends to speak on the pension verification process.

The lawmaker pointed out that due to the terrain of Bonny and other riverine LGAs there was the need for a liberalized verification process for elderly pensioners from those areas with a view to saving them the hardship and dangers of long distances over the sea.

This statement noted that this position was consistent with the lawmaker’s long standing advocacy for essential services to be brought closer to Bonny LGA, saving indigenes and residents the rigours of long travel to get essential services.

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani mandated that a public hearing be held within 14 working days after the bill progressed to committee stage. He urged that the public hearing be widely publicized and relevant stakeholders invited to be present and contribute.