'Labour, Others Vital to Pensions Scheme'
Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Pensions Administrator, Mr. Ebitare Otrofanowei, has assured the workers in the state and other stakeholders that government of Dr. D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha is determined to reflect all shades of opinions in the proposed Pension Bill now before the state House of Assembly.
According to him, it is to the credit of the Alamieyeseigha administration that the state was one of the first states in the country to evolve a comprehensive review of pension scheme to give pensioners a hassle-free retirement life.
Said he: "Of course, labour is a very vital stakeholder, their input is very crucial and the government and this office have always taken labour officials into confidence. We are all working towards a common goal."
Assuring the labour leaders that government has already created a platform and level-playing field for all stakeholders to discuss the pensions scheme, he noted that all interest groups would make their inputs before the Bill is passed into law.
He added that "this is beyond what the Administrator's office and the Attorney-General can handle alone. The practice is that the Attorney-General with His Excellency's approval sends a bill to the assembly and such bill goes to the appropriate committee who would then arrange a public hearing where all stakeholders would make input, before been passed into law.
"The bill is now at committee stage and when public hearing commences, all stakeholders would make input. In fact, labour has made its contribution, in writing, to the state House of Assembly. Other stakeholders are also been encouraged to do so."
Dismissing speculation that his office has problems with labour, Otrofanowei stated that since inception his office appreciates the importance of labour to the success of pensions scheme and has always reached out to labour leaders so as to work together in the overall interest of the state.
"To me, the only way I can deliver on the mandate given to me by His Excellency is to engage all stakeholders in constructive dialogue. For instance, in the proposed Bill, labour representative is on the Pensions Board of Trustees in line with their request. As a public servant, I'm ready and available at all times to engage labour and other stakeholders in discussion. It is the only way to realise the lofty vision of the Alamieyeseigha government for the teeming pensioners in the state," he said.
Restating government's commitment to the Pensions Scheme in the state, Otrofanowei noted that "government has more than demonstrated its resolve to make this scheme a success. That government is genuinely desirous of a viable pensions scheme is shown by the government's decision to contribute 12.5 per cent while workers contribute 7.5 per cent. We are poised to work with all stakeholders to ensure that Bayelsa Pensions Scheme becomes a model for other states."
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