By Binta Jaiteh
The long-delayed Pension Bill is set for third reading at the National Assembly on Monday February 21, 2022 and the vice-president Dr. Isatou Touray will move the motion seeking to pass and replace the 1950 Pension Act of the country.
This came as the fruit of a debate of almost four hours among the Parliamentarians on the provisions of the Public Service Pensions Bill Clause by Clause.
“The Third Reading for the Public Service Pensions Bill is now scheduled for Monday, the 21st of February, 2022 for her Excellency the Vice-President to move for its Third Reading,” House Speaker Mariam Jack-Denton read out to members.
She added: “However, before that date, the Office of the Vice-President is hereby urged to comply with Standing Order Clause 72 (20) to ensure that the amended version of the Bill is printed and circulated to Members in advance. That is, the amended version to include everything- all the amendments that have been agreed and voted on here.”
Meanwhile, national assembly Member for Serrekunda Halifa Sallah sought permission from the Speaker for amendment for the correction of error or oversight before the question for the Third Reading was put. So, in that sense, that schedule was an oversight.
“They should have really brought it and that is a way for them to amend it to make sure that we get it before the Third Reading,” he said.
“Public Service Pensions Bill seeks to introduce a new procedure for management, administration and management of retirement benefits for ensuring not only the improvement of pension entitlements but also the efficiency of processing of pension payments among other things,” he added.
