The House of Representatives has expressed commitment to enacting a legislation that will ensure the provision of free medical services in government facilities, some tax exemption and stipends for senior citizens across the country.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen gave the indication at the public hearing on a bill seeking to provide certain rights for older persons to ensure health and economic relief and protection for their social and civil rights and for related matters, organised by the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development on Wednesday.

Represented by the Chief Whip, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo (APC, Gombe), the speaker noted that many of the social benefits were previously covered by traditional family support systems and underscored the House’s resolve to provide a formal legal structure that will protect the aged from abuse.

“This Older Persons (Rights and Privileges) bill has become necessary because existing legislations, like the National Senior Citizens Centre Act, 2018, have not fully taken care of the peculiar needs of older persons and their rights are constantly abridged by others, from family members to public institutions and the rest of society.

“This bill is therefore an attempt to provide comprehensive protection for the specific rights of older citizens and meet our obligations towards safeguarding their welfare.

“Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, guarantees certain inalienable rights for every Citizen and forbids the discrimination of persons on the basis of religion or race or gender, but it fails to cover the peculiar injustices that old people suffer simply because they are old.

“The Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy in Chapter 2 of the Constitution also make provisions for the well-being of citizens, but they are not obligations that are justifiable or enforceable.

“In sum, current policy and legal frameworks for the protection of old people are either fragmented or incomplete, and mostly cannot be enforced by the courts. This bill not only hopes to address a wider range of issues, including social and economic challenges, but also to provide a legally binding framework for older people,” he said.

For her part, the committee’s chairman, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, stated that the provisions of the bill reflected the House collective responsibility to ensure that older population receives the dignity, respect and support they deserve.

“As we know, older persons often face unique challenges that can affect their health, economic stability, and social engagement. This legislation aims to address these issues head-on by establishing a framework that guarantees their rights and protections.

“House Bill 2098 seeks to ensure health and economic relief for older persons, recognizing that access to quality healthcare and financial security are fundamental human rights. It also emphasizes the importance of protecting their social and civic rights, allowing them to participate fully in society and contribute their wisdom and experience,” she said.

In his presentation, national coordinator/CEO of National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Badamasi Lawal, who was represented by Dr. Nsikak Okon, called for the harmonisation of the proposed legislation with the National Senior Citizens Centre Act, 2018, for ease of operationability in supporting older persons in the country.

Speaking on behalf of National Pension Commission (PenCom), Martins Ikagu said the proposed legislation was a positive development which would further strengthen and expand the legal framework on social security in Nigeria.

He, however, called for the review of the proposals in clause 2, 3(2), 4(1), 5, 17(1), 30 and 38(2) of the proposed bill for contextual correctness and reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to protecting the social rights of Older Persons, including retirees who have a constitutional right to earn pension after retirement. (LEADERSHIP)