From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State House of Assembly has passed into law, stopping the payment of pension to former governors and their deputies.
The bill known as H.A.B 11: Law to Revoke the Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and for other Matters connected therewith.
The bill which was passed into Law on Tuesday, followed its first, second reading, consideration at the committee of the whole and its 3rd reading during plenary.
Once signed into law by the governor, it will become “The Abia State Governors’ and Deputy Governors’ Pensions Law (Repeal)”.
Speaker of the Assembly Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa, highlighting the importance of the bill, said it will help in reducing the state’s governance expenses and redirecting resources towards development.
The bill will now be transmitted to the Governor for assent, after which its implementation will take immediate effect.
This bill, sponsored by the majority Leader of the Abia state House of Assembly and member Representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Hon Uchenna Okoro makes it such that former governors of Abia and their Deputies will no longer enjoy pension benefits at the expiration of their tenures.