Abia Assembly passes bill to end ex-govs, deputies’ pensions
The Abia House of Assembly recently approved a bill to stop paying pensions to former governors and their deputies in the state.
This bill, titled “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 in addition to that,” was introduced by Mr. Uchanna Okoro, the Majority Leader representing Arochukwu State Constituency.
The Speaker, Mr. Emmanuel Emeruwa, announced the bill’s passage after it went through the first and second readings, was considered in the committee of the whole, and received its third reading during the plenary session.
Emeruwa expressed congratulations to the members, highlighting that the bill would reduce the state’s expenses related to governance and channel resources towards development.
Upon the governor’s assent, the bill will be known as “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024” and will take effect immediately on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
This bill signifies that former governors and their deputies will no longer receive pension benefits once their tenures have ended.
There have been controversies surrounding the lavish benefits provided to former governors and deputies, and while some states have taken steps to repeal such laws, others have been less proactive in addressing this issue.