The Vice Chairman, House of Representatives committee on pension, Hon Bamidele Salam, has advocated automation of pension system to reduce the suffering of pensioners in Nigeria.
He blamed the failure of Nigeria to adopt technology in the documentation of pensioners to the problem confronting the senior citizens in the country.
Salaam who is a member representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal constituency of Osun State, also appointed four physically challenged persons as legislative aides.
The legislator who doubled as member of the ECOWAS Parliament, distributed letters to the people with disabilities in Ede, on Monday, during the opening of his constituency office in the state.
He said the three Senior Special Adviser, 17 Special Advisers and 15 Constituency Relations Officer would start work on August 1, advising them to relate with people politely.
“One of the things I believe is wrong with our pension system is that we refused to employ technology in the automation of pension system. Technology ensures transparency. I’m not happy seeing pensioners on queue for verification every year after meritorious service to their fathers land. Some of them on wheel chairs.
Apparently sad over the condition of pensioners, Salam said, “I will push for automation of pension system. There is need to ensure that full technology is used to identify the pensioners, verify the pensioners and ensuring that the fund that is meant for them are not kept away from them. Some of them have died in the course of waiting for their pensions.
The legislator who said he was the only first-timer and PDP in the committee of ECOWAS Parliament, commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for his style of leadership. Hestated that Gbajabiamila is the first speaker to have put logo of all political parties at the chamber.
He maintained that the present assembly can never be a rubber stamp as being rumoured by people, saying “the independence of National Assembly is guaranteed by the constitution.”