By Nkechi Eze
The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has assured retired police officers that an NDC-led government would remove the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme, promising better retirement benefits and improved welfare for personnel.
Dickson said the proposed policy would enable police officers to enjoy a decent life after retirement, expressing concern over the hardship faced by retired personnel struggling to cater for their families, meet basic needs and manage health challenges.
The senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the 10th Senate gave the assurance on Friday when about 60 retired senior police officers from the senatorial district paid him a courtesy visit at his country home in Toro-Orua, Bayelsa State.
He lamented the difficult conditions confronting retired policemen under the existing pension arrangement, stressing that their welfare deserved greater attention after years of service to the country.
Dickson, a former police officer, further assured the delegation that an NDC government under the presidency of Mr Peter Obi would prioritise the welfare of both serving and retired officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
He thanked the retired officers for the visit and their show of solidarity and support for him and the NDC.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, a retired Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr Gold Akponafa, said the visit was to honour Dickson, whom he described as a prominent figure in the Ijaw nation who represents the interests of Bayelsa State and the wider Niger Delta.
Akponafa said the retired officers were proud of Dickson’s political achievements, particularly his role in founding the NDC, adding that they had unanimously resolved to support his re-election and work for the party’s candidates from the presidential to the State House of Assembly elections in Bayelsa State.
He also commended Dickson for raising concerns over the Contributory Pension Scheme, describing his intervention as a voice for retired police officers and other marginalised groups.
The Contributory Pension Scheme has remained a contentious issue among retired police personnel, who have repeatedly complained that their retirement benefits are inadequate compared with those of retired members of other military and security formations.
