Senate holds public hearing on Senator Abba Moro’s bill

The Senate Standing Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters, Wednesday, organized a Public Hearing on the Bill seeking the establishment of VETERAN WELFARE FUND and Matters Related Thereto, S.B 321. The Bill is sponsored by the Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Comrade Abba Moro. The Bill passed First and Second Readings on the floor of the Senate on 5th March and 9th December, 2020 respectively.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, said the essence of the Public Hearing was to get Stakeholders’ views and suggestions on the Bill, which would guide the Committee on its report to the larger Senate for further deliberations.

Delivering his keynote address, the originator of the Bill, Senator Abba Moro, said he initiated the Bill with the intention of establishing a Fund that would provide financial and other forms of assistance and benefits to both serving and retired members of the Armed Forces and other Security Agencies.

In his words; “I initiated the Veteran Welfare Fund Bill with the intention to establish the Veteran Welfare Fund so as to provide financial and other forms of assistance and benefits to both serving and retired members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other Security Agencies whose major benefits include Veterans’ compensation, Veterans’ pension, and rehabilitation; housing assistance, health and economic benefits.

“A Veteran for the purpose of the Bill is a person who served or is serving in the Military, Naval or Air Service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. The definition explains that any individual who has completed a service to any branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces or other Security Agencies is a Veteran for the purpose of the Bill.

“It is pertinent to mention here that most of the time, the best a Military Veteran gets in our country is a befitting “burial and memorial” which often includes service internment, head stones, markers and, of course, Presidential Memorial Certificates.

“Many of us, even those gathered here, know that our Armed Forces are making a lot of sacrifices so that we live secured lives. But little do we ponder to appreciate the enormity and/or depth of the sacrifices and the trauma occasioned by the loss of lives in the line of duty and its effect on the widows, orphans, relatives and friends left behind.

“Besides, as our Armed Forces march on in the field to secure us, they need to know that at the end of the tunnel, there is something to fall back on. They need our support and motivation.

“The Veteran Welfare Fund, when established, will enhance the welfare of serving or retired members of the Armed Forces in form of compensation of the enormous sacrifices they are making or have made so as to boost patriotism, gallantry, and morale in the men at the frontline.

“I therefore call on all stakeholders and well meaning Nigerians to support this very important Bill to enable the National Assembly give it an accelerated passage for the benefit of all and sundry.”

In their separate speeches, the representatives of the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, DG of DSS, CG of Immigration, CG of NSCDC, the IGP, CSOs, etc, all commended Senator Moro for the well thought-out Bill, describing it as ‘First of its kind in the country’. They urged the Senate to pass it without hesitation as it would surely emoliorate the suffering of serving and retired members of the armed forces.