The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Plateau State, have condemned and rejected the proposed Pension Allowance Bill for former Speakers, deputy speakers, principal officers and members of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
This was contained in a press statement signed by Steve Aluko, the Convener of the Coalition and made available to journalists in Jos.
The Coalition said it views the bill as, “ill-timed, self-serving and inconsistent with the principles of accountable, transparent and people-centred governance.”
“At a time when Plateau State is grappling with economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and competing development priorities, the Coalition believes that legislation creating additional lifetime financial obligations for former political office holders cannot be justified and does not reflect the aspirations or immediate needs of the people,” the statement said.
The Coalition said it is particularly disturbed by the manner in which the bill was handled.
“Reports indicate that it passed its first and second readings on the same day without sufficient legislative scrutiny or public engagement,” it stated.
“Equally concerning is that the contents of the bill have not been made publicly accessible, denying citizens, civil society, labour unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders the opportunity to examine provisions that seek to commit public resources.”
According to the Coalition, “The apparent absence of a public hearing for a bill with significant fiscal implications undermines transparency, weakens public confidence in the legislative process and contradicts the principles of participatory democracy.”
“Plateau State requires policies that stimulate economic growth, strengthen public services and improve the welfare of citizens not legislation that appears to prioritize the interests of a few over the collective good,” it added.
The coalition then urged the Plateau State House of Assembly to immediately halt further consideration of the bill, make its full contents publicly available and subject it to a transparent public hearing involving citizens, labour unions, pensioners, professional bodies, civil society organisations and economic experts.
The Coalition also urged the Executive to withhold assent should the bill be transmitted in its current form.
“We unequivocally oppose any legislation that is self-serving, economically burdensome and disconnected from the realities of the people,” the statement read.
“Plateau State deserves laws that advance inclusive economic development, promote fiscal responsibility and place the interests of citizens above those of political office holders.”
