The Abia State House of Assembly passed a bill on Tuesday to stop pension payments to past governors and deputies in the state.
It has the following title: “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.”
It was sponsored by Mr. Uchanna Okoro, the majority leader and member of the Arochukwu State Constituency.
The Speaker, Mr. Emmanuel Emeruwa, declared the bill’s passage following its first, second, and third readings during the day’s plenary session.
Emeruwa, while praising members, stated that the bill would cut the state’s governance costs and redirect resources towards development.
He stated that the bill, once signed by the governor, would be known as the “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024.”
The speaker stated that the bill would take effect immediately, on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the measure eliminates pension payments for former governors and their deputies when their terms expire.
NAN also reports that there have been numerous disputes over the years regarding the excessive life insurance and other enviable benefits paid to governors and their deputies.
While few states attempted to abolish the statute, many demonstrated a casual attitude towards doing so.
