The Lagos State House of Assembly has pledged to intervene over delays in the payment of pension and gratuity to retired police officers in the state.
Noheem Adams, majority leader of the assembly, made the pledge on Tuesday when he received members of the Lagos chapter of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON) at the assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja.
The retirees, led by their secretary, retired DSP Oluwashina Akilade, had visited the assembly to seek intervention over delays in accessing their retirement benefits under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
Akilade said members of the association had continued to face hardship as they waited for their pension and other retirement benefits.
He said the situation had been compounded by the rising cost of living, leaving many retired officers struggling to meet their basic needs after years of service.
According to him, several security agencies, including the military, have exited the CPS, while the Nigeria Police Force remains under the scheme.
“The Nigeria Police is central to the nation’s security architecture. Officers who served the nation meritoriously deserve better retirement conditions,” he said.
Akilade said the association had engaged relevant stakeholders over the matter and appealed to the assembly to support their cause, particularly as they await presidential assent to legislation seeking to address concerns surrounding police pensions.
Responding, Adams, who received the retirees alongside Stephen Ogundipe, chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, and Bonu Solomon, chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, commended the retired officers for their service to the country.
He said the assembly had taken note of their concerns and would engage its leadership on possible steps to support them.
“We have listened to you. We will collect your contact details, engage the leadership of the House and get back to you,” Adams said.
The majority leader also said the assembly would monitor developments concerning legislation on police pensions passed by the National Assembly.
He added that the House would explore measures within its mandate to support the retired officers in addressing their concerns.
