Abia State Assembly Repeals Life Pension for Former Governors
Abia State Assembly Repeals Life Pension for Former Governors: A significant move to reduce the cost of governance in Abia
State has achieved a major breakthrough, as the State Assembly has passed a bill to revoke the pensions and other entitlements
of former governors and deputy governors. Notable beneficiaries of this repeal include former governors Okezie Ikpeazu, T.A. Orji,
and Orji Uzor Kalu. However, the bill awaits approval from State Governor Alex Otti.
The announcement was made by House Member Uchenna Okoro, representing Arochukwu State Constituency, shortly after the plenary
session on Tuesday. Sponsored by Kalu, the bill titled ‘H.A.B 11: a Bill for a Law to Repeal the Abia State Governors & Deputy Governors
Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and for other Matters’ aims to curb excessive spending on retired governors and their deputies.
the satisfaction
Kalu, expressing satisfaction with the bill’s passage, highlighted its alignment with Governor Otti’s agenda to trim governance costs.
He emphasized the disparity between struggling pensioners awaiting payments and former governors receiving hefty entitlements monthly,
stressing the need to redirect funds towards state development and civil service payments.
In a bid to bolster agricultural development, the Assembly also introduced bill H.A.B 10, the ‘Bill for A Law to Establish the Abia
State Cocoa Development and Marketing Board Bill 2024’, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Augustin Okezie. The bill, after its first reading
, received unanimous approval and was enacted into law.
Furthermore, the Assembly deliberated on bill H.A.B 9, the ‘Bill for a Law to Establish Colleges of Nursing Sciences Owned by Faith-Based and Private Establishments in Abia State and for other related purposes’, initiated by Chief Whip Hon. Emeka Obioma (Umuahia South). Following its second reading, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Health for a public hearing and subsequent legislative procedures.