Former Governors and their deputies in Abia state will no longer receive pensions from the government, following the passage of a bill that repeals the long-standing practice.
The Abia State House of Assembly passed the bill, entitled, “A Bill (H.A.B 11:) for a Law to Revoke The Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and for other Matters connected therewith” at the plenary after its third reading on Tuesday, March 19.
Majority Leader and member Representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Mr Okoro Uchenna Kalu sponsored the bill, which is designed to “ensure that the outrageous cost of governance is reduced to channel Abia state resources towards the development of the state”.
The Speaker, Abia State House of Assemby, Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa who announced the passage of the bill, congratulated members for the bold step towards reducing the cost of governance to advance development in the state.
The bill, which takes immediate effect, would be referred to as “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024” upon its approval by the state governor Alex Otti, Emeruwa said.
The controversial bill
Former Abia state governor and senator representing Abia north, Orji Kalu, signed the “Abia State Governors & Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001” during his administration, which allows former governors and deputies 100 percent the annual basic earnings of the incumbent governor and deputy; their cooks, stewards, drivers, and gardeners are to be paid by the state; and are entitled to three police officers and two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).