The
Enugu State House of Assembly has approved a law stating that all
former Governor and their deputies are entitled to a lifetime pension.
Enugu State House of Assembly complex
According to a law passed by the Enugu State House of Assembly on
Tuesday, all former governors and deputy governors in Enugu State will
receive pensions for life.
This was made possible following the amendment of the ‘gubernatorial pensions bill, 2015 and other matters connected therewith’, to
provide for lifetime pensions for former governors and deputy
governors, including those from the ‘Old Anambra’ and ‘Old Enugu’ eras.
According to a report by Punch, the law, however, would not be
applicable to any governor or deputy governor who was impeached. Before
the bill was passed into law at a plenary session on Tuesday, Leader of
the House, Mr. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, noted that the amendment became
necessary to accommodate all former governors and deputy governors in
the state, from the days of the Old Anambra State.
Those that would benefit from the development include Chief Jim
Nwobodo, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, Dr. Chimaraoke Nnamani, and Sullivan
Chime, as well as their respective deputies.
The member representing Nkanu-East, Mr. Paul Nnajiofor, noted that
the passage of the amended bill was long overdue. He added that the
House endorsed the lifetime pension to appreciate the role played by the
former governors and deputy governors in the development of the state.
“This law as amended will give our respected and revered elder
statesmen their due, and appreciate them for the immense contribution to
the development of the state,” Nnajiofor said.
Another lawmaker, Mary Ugwu, Enugu-South Rural, expressed hopes
that the lifetime pension would motivate current and future governors
and their deputies to serve the state with dedication and transparency.
“It will have enduring effect on chief executives of the state,
thus making them to serve meritoriously, knowing that they have
something to fall back on tomorrow after office,” Ugwu said.
The Speaker, Mr. Edward Ubosi, who commended the lawmakers after
the bill was passed into law, noted that, with the development, former
governors and their deputies in the state would feel like their
counterparts in other states where similar laws are applicable.
Ubosi added that the law would enable the former state chief executives to reap the fruits of their labour’.
He said, “The reason for passing this amended bill is to allow
citizens of Enugu State, who have served this state as governors in Old
Anambra and Old Enugu, to receive a pension.
“This will make them be like and feel like others and also reap
from the benefit of their immense contributions to the development of
the present Enugu State.”