Benue Assembly Moves to Raise Minimum Pension to N50,000
By Our Correspondent In Makurdi
The Benue State House of Assembly has passed for second reading a bill seeking to increase the guaranteed minimum pension for retirees in the state to N50,000, while also ensuring the payment of gratuities and pension arrears.
Leading debate on the proposed legislation during plenary on Wednesday, the sponsor of the bill, Douglas Akya, described the initiative as a moral obligation aimed at restoring dignity and economic security to retired civil servants across the state.
Akya lamented that many pensioners currently receive between N2,000 and N4,600 monthly, an amount he said no longer reflects the economic realities facing Nigerians.
According to him, retired workers who devoted their productive years to public service in sectors such as education, healthcare and administration now live in hardship due to inadequate pensions and delayed gratuities.
“A guaranteed minimum pension of N50,000 is not excessive but the minimum threshold for humane living in today’s economy,” he stated.
The lawmaker stressed that inflation, rising healthcare costs, transportation expenses and the increasing cost of living had rendered the existing pension structure obsolete.
He further noted that the bill was designed to tackle the lingering issue of unpaid gratuities and pension arrears, insisting that gratuities remain lawful entitlements rather than acts of charity from government.
Akya expressed concern that several retirees had died waiting for their benefits, while many others continue to face severe financial hardship after retirement.
He recalled that the 10th Assembly had earlier repealed the controversial life pension law for former governors and deputy governors, arguing that funds previously allocated to political office holders should instead be redirected toward improving the welfare of retired workers.
Contributing to the debate, Peter Ipusu described the bill as timely and necessary, noting that pensioners were struggling to cope with rent, medical bills and other essential living expenses.
Ipusu added that serving civil servants would equally support the upward review of pensions because it would guarantee them a more secure future after retirement.
Following deliberations, the Speaker of the House, Alfred Emberga, directed the Clerk of the House, Bem Mela, to read the bill for the second time.
The Speaker subsequently referred the bill to the House Committee on Appointments, Public Service and Pension Matters for further legislative scrutiny ahead of third reading and possible passage.
