A member of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Douglas Akya, has unveiled plans to enhance retiree welfare through a proposed bill seeking to establish a minimum pension benchmark of between ₦40,000 and ₦50,000 across the state.
Speaking on Tuesday in Makurdi, Akya said the legislation is designed to address persistently low pension payments, ensure equity, and guarantee that no pensioner earns below the approved threshold. The move, he noted, is expected to significantly improve the living standards of retired public sector workers.
Akya, who represents Makurdi South, explained that the bill would also eliminate irregular pension disbursements, compel the clearance of outstanding arrears, and enforce equal treatment of all retirees. He added that the measure would strengthen accountability within pension administration while providing relief to thousands of pensioners facing financial hardship.
In an interview with journalists, the lawmaker described the current pension system as deeply flawed, revealing that some retirees receive as little as ₦4,000 per month after up to 35 years of service to the state.
“This situation is unacceptable,” he said, emphasising that pensioners deserve dignity and financial security after decades of public service.
Akya further stated that he has taken up the issue as a personal responsibility, underscoring the need to ensure that elderly citizens in Benue are adequately supported. He added that the proposed legislation would harmonise pension payments across the state.
According to him, the bill seeks to prevent any sitting governor from selectively paying pensions and gratuities—a practice he argued has exacerbated inequality and hardship among retirees.
He added that the legislation would mandate successive administrations to clear all outstanding pension arrears and ensure fair treatment of retirees, irrespective of when they left the civil service.
The lawmaker also outlined plans to modernise the pension verification process through the adoption of technology and decentralisation.
“Instead of requiring pensioners to travel to Makurdi, officials of the pension board will visit them in their local government areas to ease stress and reduce costs,” he said.
Akya expressed optimism that the bill would secure legislative backing and deliver sustainable reforms to Benue State’s pension system, with broader implications for workforce morale and post-retirement security in the public sector.
