Pensioners and labour unionists in Abia State have hailed the stoppage of payment of pension to former governors and deputy governors of the state by the House of Assembly.
The former governors are Orji Uzor Kalu, Theodore Orji, and Okezie Ikpeazu, while the deputies are Enyinnaya Abaribe, the late Chima Nwafor, Acho Nwakanma, Chris Akomas, Emeka Ananaba, and Udeh Oko Chukwu.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP in Umuahia, the state capital, yesterday, following the stoppage, two pensioners, Nelson Nlewedim and Cordelia Arisa described it 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.”
He 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 deputies were receiving their pension regularly.
According to Arisa, a retired nurse, who said she had suffered unimaginable challenges due to irregular payment of her pension added that “this necessary law will make them have a taste of their medicine”.
On their part, three unionists, Ada Njoku, Iheanyi Munachi, and Johnny Uka (not real names), said the House had by the action saved the state a 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, an artisan, who is close to retirement.
The 24-member House had on Tuesday during plenary, passed a bill 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 for Arochukwu constituency, Okoro Kalu.
The speaker, Hon Emmanuel Emereuwa, who announced the passage of the bill, said the law came into force “on this day 19th day of March, 2024. HAB 11 has been passed into law.”
Congratulating his colleagues for the exercise, he commended them for their understanding and cooperation, saying the law is in line with the yearning of the majority.
Leading the debate, Kalu had said the Bill was timely as it would help reduce the cost of governance, free funds for development of the areas in need and the welfare of the people in general.
