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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Senate has commenced moves to overhaul the pension framework for National Assembly staff, as a Bill to amend the National Assembly Service Pension Act successfully passed second reading at plenary on Tuesday.
The bill, which was first read on May 28, 2024, seeks to address critical concerns within the existing Act. Leading the debate, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti, PDP), outlined the key objectives of the proposed amendments.
According to Senator Bamidele, the legislation aims to revert to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), reconstitute the membership of the National Assembly Service Pension Board, and provide clear templates for the payment of gratuities. He emphasized that these changes are designed to create a workable and pragmatic pension framework for the national assembly staff.
The Senate Leader pointed that the current Act has presented significant implementation challenges, stating that the amendment sought would address all the inherent shortcomings. He further explained that the bill will restructure the governance structure of the board and re-introduce the CPS on pension administration of NASS staff. Similarly, the lawmakers vowed to also ensure payment of gratuities in line with the Federal Government policy on pension administration.”
Senator Bamidele pointed out that the absence of a proper framework has adversely affected National Assembly staff who retired since 2023, as the Board has been unable to access necessary funds due to these lingering issues. He stressed that a core objective of the bill is to “reintroduce gratuity payments that fairly compensate retirees for their service” and to “restructure the composition of the governing board to eliminate potential conflicts of interest and enhance governance and service.”
Ultimately, Senator Bamidele asserted that the bill is “principally focused on how to create a sustainable, efficient and equitable pension system that serves the interests of both current and retired staff of the National Assembly staff.”
Stating further, “This is important because the welfare of the staff of the National Assembly should be a matter of priority to us as legislators because the bureaucrats of this institution are the engine room behind our core legislative duties. Therefore, their welfare, as it relates to their rights and entitlements, is paramount and must be accorded the needed attention it deserves.”
Following his ruling , the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, referred the Bill to the Committee on Establishment for further legislative input. The committee has been given four weeks to report back to the Senate. Akpabio emphasized that the Bill is solely for the benefit of NASS staff, urging lawmakers to be “circumspect in consideration of the bill at the public hearing in the interest of the entire staff of NASS.” He also called for inputs from all stakeholders, including staff members through their various associations, to ensure a comprehensive and fair outcome.