A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Plateau State, has rejected the proposed bill seeking lifetime pension allowance for former principal officers of the State House of Assembly.
Mr Steve Aluko, the Convener of the coalition rejected the bill in a statement on Thursday in Jos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the assembly had initiated a bill seeking lifetime pension for former Speakers, Deputy Speakers and Principal Officers of the assembly.
But Aluko said that the bill was ill-timed, self-serving and inconsistent with the principles of accountability, transparency and people-centred governance.
“At a time when Plateau is grappling with economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and competing development priorities, creating additional lifetime financial obligations for former political office holders cannot be justified. It does not reflect the aspirations or immediate needs of the people,” he said
The convener also queried the manner in which members of the assembly hurriedly allowed the bill to pass through first and second readings on the same day.
“The coalition 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.
“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.
“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 requires policies that stimulate economic growth, strengthen public services and improve the welfare of citizens, not legislation that appears to prioritise the interests of a few over the collective good,” he added.
Aluko, who called on the Plateau assembly to halt further consideration of the bill, also advised the assembly to commit the bill to public hearing.
He also advised Gov. Caleb Mutfwang to withhold assent should the bill be transmitted in its current form.
(NAN)
