By Ebunoluwa Sessou
The Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria, ARPON, Lagos State Chapter, has appealed to the Lagos State House of Assembly to intervene in challenges surrounding the payment of retirement benefits to former police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

The association made the appeal when a delegation led by its Secretary, DSP Oluwashina Akilapa (Rtd.), visited the Assembly, expressing concern over what it described as prolonged delays and inadequate payment of pensions and gratuities to retired police officers.

Akilapa said many retired police officers were facing financial hardship as a result of difficulties associated with accessing their retirement benefits, particularly amid the rising cost of living.

He noted that several other security agencies, including the military and other Federal Government security institutions, had exited the Contributory Pension Scheme, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force should also receive attention over the welfare of its retirees.

According to him, police officers played a critical role in maintaining security and protecting lives and property during their years of service, and deserved adequate welfare after retirement.

Akilapa said the association had engaged various stakeholders in its efforts to address the challenges, adding that it was seeking political and institutional support to ensure that the concerns of retired police officers were addressed.

He appealed to the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly to draw the attention of relevant authorities to the plight of the retirees, particularly as they await Presidential assent to legislation intended to address their pension concerns.

Responding, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Noheem Adams, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the contributions of retired police officers to the security and development of the country.

Adams, who spoke alongside the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Stephen Ogundipe, and Chairman, House Committee on Tourism, Bonu Solomon, said the Assembly had taken note of the concerns raised by the retirees.

He said the House would obtain the contact details of the association, engage its leadership on the issues and communicate the position of the Assembly to the retirees.

The Majority Leader also acknowledged the retirees’ reference to legislation passed by the National Assembly on their pension concerns, saying the Assembly would await further developments on the matter.

Adams appreciated the sacrifices made by the retired officers during their years of service and expressed the Assembly’s support for their efforts to secure improved welfare and retirement benefits.