By Agabus Pwanagba

The Joint Union of Plateau State Owned Tertiary Institutions, JUPTI on Thursday reaffirmed objection to Governor Simon Lalong’s Executive Bill on Contributory Pension Scheme pending before the State House of Assembly saying the Governor has not taken into consideration peculiarities of some employees before proposing certain policies.

JUPTI called on the State House of Assembly to investigate the operation of Treasury Single Account (TSA) as it affects tertiary institutions, and to also ascertain its efficiency.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of JUPTI, Comrade Paul Dakogol, while presenting the Union’s position on the Contributory Pension Scheme Bill, before the State House of Assembly in Jos.

Dakogol said, “The tertiary institutions be exempted from the bill and the present defined scheme be sustained.

“The institutions be allowed to manage the funds in a manner that will guarantee payment of terminal benefits as at when due.

he Union Leader urged the House of Assembly to investigate why the Nigeria Army, police, other security operatives, Ebonyi State among others opted out of the scheme being proposed by the bill in question.

“The Ministry of Finance should be called to order and to stop the illegal withholding of 25% of school fees paid by students without genuine reasons.

Adding that, “The confusion in the policy is rather affecting the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) negatively instead of meeting the purpose of its introduction in the State.

The Chairman, however, lamented that despite the fact that tertiary institutions in the State are lacking in manpower, recruitment should be done through the approved channels, not in secret.

“We shall resist any recruitment done secretly or being contemplated to be done secretly and not in line with the laws establishing the institutions.

Responding, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Azi, commended the workers for their peaceful conduct.

Azi said, “We will not dismiss your issue with the wave of hand; as this 8th assembly is a people oriented assembly.

“We do not pass any law without the commitment of those that sent us here, and you are those that sent us to be here.

The Speaker assured that the issues raised will be looked into as “We don’t joke with our civil servants.”

“Whatever you think should be done for the betterment of Plateau people is what we will do.”

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Plateau tertiary institutions urges Assembly to exempt it from new pension bill, investigate TSA