By Alltimepost.com
Following a coordinated protest by members of Edo Civil Society Organizations against the recently amended Pension Law, approving N300m housing largesse for ex-governors and their deputies by the state lawmakers, the two sides have dialogued on the critical issue, with a resolution that the amendment be rejected.
It would be recalled that members of Edo Civil Society Organizations were attacked last Tuesday while protesting the recent passage of the bill, amending the existing legislation on the Pension Rights of Governors and their Deputies.
The recent meeting which was convened at the instance of the Civil Society Organizations in Edo State [Conference of Non-Governmental Organization (CONGOs) and the Network of CSOs in Nigeria (NOCSON)], took place at the Assembly Complex last Friday November 25, 2016.
At the end of the meeting which addressed issues of importance to the people of Edo State, including the physical attack unleashed on protesters by thugs allegedly loyal to the speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, the Civil Society Organizations issued the following communique:
COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF POLICY DIALOGUE ON THE AMENDED PENSION LAW FOR EX-GOVERNORS AND THEIR DEPUTIES BETWEEN THE CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE EDO SATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HELD AT THE ASSEMBLY COMPLEX, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE ON FRIDAY 25TH NOVEMBER, 2016
Preamble
A policy dialogue on the Amendment of the Pension Law for Ex- Governors and their deputies as proposed by the Edo State House of Assembly was held at the instance of the Civil Society Organizations in Edo State [Conference of Non-Governmental Organization (CONGOs) and the Network of CSOs in Nigeria (NOCSON)]. This became very imperative as a result of the cry from a vast majority of Edo people that amending the law was not called for based on current economic realities and the need to further reposition the state for healthy growth and development. Several arguments were presented by the Honorable Speaker Rt. Hon. Dr. Justin Okonobo to justify the essence of the amendments.
Key Concerns
Six presentations were made at the dialogue, three from the Leadership of the Assembly and three from the CSOs. The presentations and subsequent deliberations generated the following concerns. That;
What was the urgency in making the amendments if there were no special interest?
The amounts stated were just the upper limit for their housing and the Governor may decide not to assent to it.
The beneficiaries are people who are by all standards very comfortable and secured within the context of the old Law but need to be further rewarded for their meritorious services.
There are several pensioners (civil pensioners) who have not gotten their pensions with long backlogs.
It is widely unfair for the House to amend and pass a bill that was unpopular amongst the people.
The House would have allowed the new government to settle down a little before passing a hurried amendment bill to the Governor for assent.
Even though the House has the statutory right to pass the amended bill with a 2/3 majority, it was too early to start on that note most especially as it affects this bill
It was not palatable for innocent people to be attacked by hoodlums when they try to exercise their views through a peaceful rally after securing the necessary permission from the relevant agencies.
Key Resolutions
Arising from the various concerns expressed during the dialogue, it was resolved as follows: That;
The amendment in the Law should be rejected in its entirety.
A copy of the Law before and after the amendments should be given to the CSOs for analysis.
An advocacy should be made to the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on the negative impression he would make of himself before the people should he assent to the amended law.
The House should recall the amended law from the Executive.
Failure on the part of the House to recall the bill, a formal petition shall be made to the Edo State House of Assembly to revisit the bill as amended.
At plenary, the House should review the attack on peaceful protesters of on Tuesday 22nd November, 2016.
A Civil Society Desk be established in the Assembly Complex to close the obvious gap between the House and the Civil Society.
That all these resolutions should be implemented within the next two weeks.
For other Partners:
Comrade Jude Obasanmi President CONGOs. Comrade Barr. Abraham Oviawe.
President (NOCSON).
