Police Service Commission (PSC) has called on retired police officers across the country to shelve their planned nationwide protest scheduled to begin on July 21 over dissatisfaction with the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
Gatekeepers News reports that over the years, several retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force have voiced discontent with the scheme, demanding full exemption from it.
Many have expressed frustration over the meagre monthly stipends they receive, which they say are insufficient to meet their basic needs.
Under the CPS, both employers and employees make monthly contributions toward the employee’s retirement benefits. Currently, members of the armed forces, intelligence, and secret services are exempted from the scheme.
PSC’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement on Sunday, described the planned protest as “ill-advised and ill-timed,” stressing that the matter is being looked into by relevant authorities.
He reiterated the commission’s commitment to improving the welfare of all police officers, whether serving or retired.
Ani noted that the PSC has consistently condemned the discriminatory nature of the pension scheme affecting certain categories of retired police officers and urged those aggrieved to adopt the path of dialogue rather than confrontation.
The statement reads, “The commission believes that relevant government agencies are currently looking into the obvious disparity with a view to bridging the gap.”
“It advises that the affected officers should consider the path of dialogue and continuous engagement rather than confrontation.”
“The commission wishes to state that it will at no time deviate from its determined efforts to ensure an improved welfare for police officers, senior or junior, and serving or retired.”
“It wishes to advise the drivers of this intended planned protest to review its intentions and return to the negotiating table in the interest of the existing peace in the country.”
“The commission is of the strong belief that the nation can not afford this distraction at this time of our democratic journey.”
