By NAOMI SHARANG

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has assured protesting retired police officers who have been keeping vigil at the gate of the National Assembly over their inclusion in the contributory pension scheme that they would be removed from the scheme.

Akpabio gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the retired police officers to his office on Thursday.

Akpabio told the retired police officers that the issue would be given a speedy hearing and concurrence with the House of Representatives, which had earlier passed the bill.

“The policy, from what you have told us, was not well thought out. But take it that you have to disperse from the gate, that problem, as far as the law is concerned, is over.

“On Tuesday next week, we will concur with what the House of Representatives has done and produce an act exiting you from the scheme.

“I know that President Bola Tinubu, being a listening president, will sign it into law. The scheme is certainly not good for security personnel.

“If the military, DSS, NIA and others had exited, I see no reason why the police should remain, while those in the echelon of the service are out of it.

“You all fought insecurity together. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. We will ensure that the scheme is same from the IG to the last constable.

“Sometimes, our country is fantastic in copying policies and not thinking out the implications if implemented. And if that was done, many of you wouldn’t have died. We always compare oranges with apples,” the senate president said.

Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the retirees, Mannir Zaria, thanked the senate president for granting them access to see him in his office, adding that they were upbeat that their problems would be looked into with dispatch. (NAN)