By Dianabasi Effiong
The Police Service Commission (PSC) says the planned protest by retired Police Officers across the nation over issues that are already receiving the attention of relevant government agencies is ill-advised, ill-timed, and diversionary.
This was made known in a statement on Sunday by the Commission’s Spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani.
According to the statement, the Commission also views the planned protest “at a time there is almost a consensus that the state/condition of some retired Police Officers deserves immediate consideration and improvement is diversionary and in bad taste.”
“The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd) mni, has at several fora condemned the poor and discriminatory pension scheme for some categories of retired Officers and has called for a streamlined Police pension scheme.
“DIG Argungu had also made several interventions in this direction and till date, had remained an advocate of a democratised Police Pension scheme.
“The Commission believes that relevant Government Agencies are currently looking into the obvious disparity to bridge the gap. It advises that the affected Officers should consider the path of dialogue and continuous engagement rather than confrontation,” Ani stated.
He said that the Commission had stated that it would at no time deviate from its determined efforts to ensure an improved welfare for Police Officers, senior or junior, and serving or retired.
Ani stated, “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.”
