The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Rivers State, Mr. Alex Agwanwor, has called for the immediate termination of the contributory pension scheme in the state, citing systemic inefficiencies and governance lapses that undermine workers’ welfare.
Agwanwor made the demand during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration in Port Harcourt, raising concerns over the scheme’s operation and its impact on employees. He argued that the lack of transparency in its guidelines, coupled with the government’s failure to meet its counterpart funding obligations, has rendered the scheme ineffective and necessitates urgent intervention.
He further alleged that the state government has yet to constitute a pensions board or ensure the enrolment of retirees into the scheme, developments he said have weakened its institutional framework and compromised its ability to safeguard workers’ interests.
“It is our humble appeal that the scheme should be terminated and reversed to the traditionally defined benefit scheme,” Agwanwor said.
The labour leader also urged Gov. Siminalayi Fubara to address the exclusion of certain local government workers from the verification portal, noting that the omission has resulted in the suspension of their monthly salaries.
“We are also asking for the speedy domestication of the Federal Government’s reviewed peculiar service allowances. This will help to cushion the effect of the economic challenges currently faced by workers,” he added.
Agwanwor, however, commended the Fubara administration for its commitment to infrastructure upgrades and workers’ welfare, pledging the continued support of Rivers workers for the government’s policies and programmes.
