Pensioners, Unionists Hail Stoppage Of Abia Ex-Govs’, Deputies’ Pension

Pensioners and labour unionists in Abia State have welcomed the termination of pension payment to former governors and deputy governors of the state by the state’s House of Assembly

The affected former governors include Orji Uzor Kalu, Theodore Orji, and Okezie Ikpeazu, while the deputies are Enyi Abaribe, the late Chima Nwafor, Acho Nwakanma, Chris Akomas, Emeka Ananaba, and Udeh Oko Chukwu.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP in Umuahia, the state capital, two pensioners, Nelson Nlewedim and Cordelia Arisa described the House’s decision as a welcome development.

Nlewedim, a retired secondary school teacher argued that it was unjustified to pay former governors and deputies pension after serving for “only four or eight years as the case may be.”

The retired teacher said the most annoying aspect of the case was that while those who suffered for about 35 years to serve the state were neglected, the former governors and their deputies were receiving their pension regularly.

On her part, Arisa, a retired nurse, who said she had suffered unimaginable challenges due to non-regular payment of her pension said she hopes that “this necessary law will make them have a taste of their medicine”.

In the same vein, three unionists, Ada Njoku, Iheanyi Munachi, and Johnny Uka (not real names), said the House had by the action saved the state huge sum of money that would have gone down the drain.

“If the payment had continued, the former governors and deputy governors would have continued to impoverish us while out of office,” maintained Uka, who is close to retirement.

The 24-member House had on Tuesday during plenary, passed a Bill entitled HAB 11 into law to repeal the state Governors’ and Deputy Governors’ Pension Law No 4 of 2021.

The Abia State Governors’ and Deputy Governors’ Pension Law Repeal Bill 2024 was sponsored by the Majority Leader and member representing Arochukwu Constituency, Okoro Kalu.

Speaker of the House, Emmanuel Emereuwa, while announcing the passage of the Bill declared that the law came into force “on this day 19 day of March 2024. HAB 11 has been passed into law.”

Congratulating his colleagues on the passage, the Speaker commended them for their understanding and cooperation, saying the law is in line with the yearning of the majority Abia people.

Leading the debate, Kalu had described the Bill was timely, saying it would help reduce the cost of governance, free funds for development of areas in need and the welfare of the people in general.
[20/03, 18:28] +234 806 953 7684: Pensioners, Unionists Hail Stoppage Of Abia’s Ex-Govs, Deputies’ Pensions

BY KALU EZIYI, Umuahia

Pensioners and labour unionists in Abia State have welcomed the termination of pension payment to former governors and deputy governors of the state by the state’s House of Assembly

The affected former governors include Orji Uzor Kalu, Theodore Orji, and Okezie Ikpeazu, while the deputies are Enyi Abaribe, the late Chima Nwafor, Acho Nwakanma, Chris Akomas, Emeka Ananaba, and Udeh Oko Chukwu.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP in Umuahia, the state capital, two pensioners, Nelson Nlewedim and Cordelia Arisa described the House’s decision as a welcome development.

Nlewedim, a retired secondary school teacher argued that it was unjustified to pay former governors and deputies pension after serving for “only four or eight years as the case may be.”

The retired teacher said the most annoying aspect of the case was that while those who suffered for about 35 years to serve the state were neglected, the former governors and their deputies were receiving their pension regularly.

On her part, Arisa, a retired nurse, who said she had suffered unimaginable challenges due to non-regular payment of her pension said she hopes that “this necessary law will make them have a taste of their medicine”.

In the same vein, three unionists, Ada Njoku, Iheanyi Munachi, and Johnny Uka (not real names), said the House had by the action saved the state huge sum of money that would have gone down the drain.

“If the payment had continued, the former governors and deputy governors would have continued to impoverish us while out of office,” maintained Uka, who is close to retirement.

The 24-member House had on Tuesday during plenary, passed a Bill entitled HAB 11 into law to repeal the state Governors’ and Deputy Governors’ Pension Law No 4 of 2021.

The Abia State Governors’ and Deputy Governors’ Pension Law Repeal Bill 2024 was sponsored by the Majority Leader and member representing Arochukwu Constituency, Okoro Kalu.

Speaker of the House, Emmanuel Emereuwa, while announcing the passage of the Bill declared that the law came into force “on this day 19 day of March 2024. HAB 11 has been passed into law.”

Congratulating his colleagues on the passage, the Speaker commended them for their understanding and cooperation, saying the law is in line with the yearning of the majority Abia people.

Leading the debate, Kalu had described the Bill was timely, saying it would help reduce the cost of governance, free funds for development of areas in need and the welfare of the people in general.