By Golok Nanmwa
JOS – The Plateau State House of Assembly has bowed to mounting public pressure and withdrawn the controversial Bill seeking to provide pension allowances for former members, principal officers and presiding officers of the Assembly.
The decision followed widespread condemnation by organised labour, civil society organisations, and members of the public, who argued that the proposed legislation was ill-timed in view of the prevailing economic hardship and the plight of workers and pensioners in the state.
Announcing the withdrawal of the bill on Thursday in Jos, the Majority Leader of the House and Chairman of the Joint Committee on Rules and Business, Finance and House Services, Hon. Joseph G. Gokum, said the action was taken after extensive consultations, public feedback and careful deliberations by the committee.
Gokum said the 10th Plateau State House of Assembly remained committed to transparency, accountability and people-centred legislation, stressing that lawmakers had listened to the concerns expressed by citizens and other critical stakeholders.
