Abia Assembly passes bill to stop pension for ex govs, deputies

The Abia House of Assembly passed a bill on Tuesday to stop the payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies in the state.

It is 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.”

It was sponsored by Mr. Uchanna Okoro, the majority leader and member representing Arochukwu State Constituency.

The Speaker, Mr. Emmanuel Emeruwa, announced the passage of the bill after its first, second, consideration by the committee of the whole, and third reading during the day’s plenary.

Emeruwa, while congratulating members, said that the bill would reduce the state’s governance expenses and redirect resources towards development.

He said that the bill, once assented to by the governor, would be referred to as “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024.”

The Speaker said that the bill would take effect immediately, on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Supreme News reports that, with the bill, former governors and their deputies will no longer enjoy pension benefits after their tenures have expired.

Supreme News further reports that there have been a lot of controversies over the years concerning the outrageous life and other enviable benefits being paid to the governors and their deputies.

While few states had made moves to repeal the law, many states showed a nonchalant attitude towards doing so.