Governance costs: Abia Assembly suspends pensions for former governors and deputies

The Abia State House of Assembly approved a bill on Tuesday that will cease the state’s pension payments to previous governors and their deputies.

The law that aims to revoke the Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law No. 4 of 2001 and address other related matters is known as “A Bill (H.A.B 11:).”

The majority leader and member representing the Arochukwu State constituency, Mr. Uchanna Okoro, sponsored it.

Following the bill’s first, second, committee of the whole, and third readings during the day’s plenary, Speaker Mr. Emmanuel Emeruwa declared its passage.

Emeruwa praised the members but also stated that the law will save the state money on governance and divert funds to development.

He stated that the legislation will be known as the “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024” when the governor gave his approval.

The bill, according to the speaker, will go into force on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, right away.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the measure will prevent former governors and their deputies from receiving pension benefits when their terms are up.

According to NAN, there have been numerous disputes over the years regarding the governors and their deputies’ extravagant life insurance policies and other lavish rewards.

Although a small number of states have taken action to repeal the statute, several others shown a casual attitude toward doing so.

NAN