Pensions: Bayelsa deputy gov advocates welfare support for ex-lawmakers

The deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Dr Peter Akpe, has called on relevant authorities to fashion out a legal framework that would enable former lawmakers to draw monthly pensions as their civil servants counterparts.

Akpe made the call while granting an audience to the Chairman and members of the Bayelsa State Former Legislators Forum during a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa, on Thursday.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, quoted Dr Akpe as saying that providing such a welfare scheme for people who had put in a minimum of four years in service would not only give them a sense of fulfillment but also cater to their basic living needs in their post-service years.

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Akpe, who is a member of the Forum, enjoined his colleagues to carry out extensive research on extant pension laws in the country and work collaboratively with serving legislators and other stakeholders to make the monthly welfare scheme issue a reality.

While highlighting the efforts made in his days at the Bayelsa State House of Assembly on the matter, he suggested a contributory pensions scheme that would require serving legislators to make monthly contributions while in service.

“We must look at the welfare of our members. As you know, legislations are meant to solve societal problems as well as promote the welfare of the people.

“In our time, we mooted and crafted the idea of pensions for legislators in the state. But unfortunately, we were misunderstood and I was at the centre of the news in Bayelsa, even though I was not going to benefit from it because I was already a pensioner.

“I have been and I’m still an advocate on this issue; that whoever has passed through the legislature as a member should benefit from a pension welfare because it will give the person a sense of fulfilment and enable him or her to meet some basic living needs. It must not be a big money,”  Dr Akpe emphasised.

He underscored the pivotal role legislators play in societal development, stressing that no democratic government could function without the legislature that enacted laws to ensure the peace, stability and development of society.

The deputy governor expressed gratitude to the association for their show of solidarity and continued support for the present administration’s policies and programmes, assuring that government would assist in the building of the Forum’f legislative centre and guesthouse project.

He said, “I want to also appreciate you all for your support to the Governor and this administration. You have always been there for us, and we are not taking your support for granted. Your experience as former legislators is very important to governance.

“Though governance has several sections, like you know, the executive, judiciary and legislature. But the irreducible fact is that, there is no democracy without the legislature.

“The other arms of government can operate without the legislature in other forms of government. But you can’t operate a democracy without the legislature. So the experience and privilege you have had in the legislature is never a waste.

Earlier, the Forum, Chief Robert Enogha Ayalla, said the visit was to primarily rejoice with Dr Akpe on his recent elevation as the deputy governor of the state, a development which he described as a divine arrangement.

Chief Ayalla commended Governor Douye Diri for giving a sense of belonging to the Forum by appointing some of its members, including Dr Akpe, and the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Nimibofa Ayawei, to positions of public trust.

He, however, used the opportunity to request the state government and other relevant stakeholders to support the Forum’s efforts towards building a world-class Legislative Centre and Guesthouse in Yenagoa, to promote learning and socioeconomic activities in the state.