Imo people commend move to stop payment of pensions to ex-governors, deputies in Abia

By CHINYERE Nnaemeka

The people of Imo State have described as a welcome development the Executive Bill proposed by the Abia State Government to stop payment of pensions to ex-governors and their deputies.

The bill has been passed and is now awaiting the governor’s final assent.

The people made the commendation on Thursday during Hot FM Radio People’s Assembly phone-in Programme, where the issue was discussed.

They commended the initiative, saying that it is a step in the right direction as it is unconstitutional to pay pensions and gratuity to past governors for they are not civil servants, but elected offices.

“We see no reason why any former governor who has earned billions from security votes, and other allowances, plus some of the looted public funds, after four or eight years in office will be paid pensions.”

They urged other states to follow suit, even as Imo State has sometime in the past done so too, and to also ensure it is implemented to the later.

They further advised that when the bill is finally assented to by the governor, he the governor should ensure the money is channelled into proper use (infrastructural development) for the people to see what it has been used for.

However, some of the people, opined that instead of totally stopping the benefit, the severance allowance should be reduced.

“Something should be given to ex-governors and their deputies to avoid their totally looting the state funds during their second term with the believe that they will not receive anything after office, ‘they said’.

It would be recalled that Abia House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill to stop payment of pension to former governors and their deputies in the state.

The bill 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”, was sponsored by Uchanna Okoro, the Majority Leader of the House, and member Representing Arochukwu State Constituency.

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

National Beam gathered that it is to reduce the state governance’s expenses and redirect resources towards development.