Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has signed the bill which puts a stop to pension payments to former governors of the state and their deputies.
The Abia House of Assembly had passed the bill for a law to repeal ‘The Abia State Governors & Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001’ on Tuesday.
The bill was sponsored by Okoro Uchenna Kalu, the House Majority Leader and member representing Arochukwu State Constituency.
The law makes it compulsory for former Abia governors and deputies to receive 100 percent of the annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy.
The law, which was signed by former Abia governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, who served from 1999 to 2007, and currently a senator representing the Abia North Senatorial District in 2001 also specified that 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).
Speaking after the signing of the bill, Otti said the new law was designed to enhance good governance and stewardship in the state.
“Government is not about self interest, it is actually self interest that destroys government,” Otti said.
He added that pensioners are the citizens who are mostly in need of the funds and not former governors and deputies.
“I have seen engagements where people said that they have not been collecting,” the governor added.
“It is true because they have not been paid, and we don’t believe that those payments should be made. One of the people that should be paid wrote to me about not being paid, I put a call across to him and explained why it should not be paid and he agreed with me.
“I told him we have not paid anyone and he said that he wants to confirm that he was not being singled out. The point I am trying to make is that even the people that should receive it believe that repealing the law is the best.”
Appreciating the Governor, the speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa via his X handle said, “I am pleased to announce that Governor Alex Alex C. Otti has signed into law the bill repealing the payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies. This legislation will now be known as the “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions (Repeal) Law, 2024.”
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my colleagues for their courage and commitment in ensuring the passage of this bill. As the Speaker of the 8th Assembly, Abia State House of Assembly, I am committed to prioritizing laws that will reshape Abia State.
“Umunne m Ndi Abia, your encouragement and support are deeply appreciated, and I assure you that my colleagues and I are steadfast in our commitment to never disappoint you. Best regards.”
