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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State House of Assembly has repealed the bill for a law to make for the maintenance of former governors and their deputies.
Former governor Samuel Ortom, before leaving office initiated a bill to provide for life pension for all former governors and their deputies.
The bill, which was passed by the Ninth Assembly on May 25, 2023, provided for the payment of stipend of N40 million in four months in addition to provision of two Sports Utility Vehicle (SUVs) as well as six stewards to a former governor while the former deputy governor is entitled to N25 million as stipend in four months, one SUV and three stewards.
Leading debate on the bill at plenary, the House Committee Chairman on Appointments, Public Service and Pension, Douglas Akya, representing Makurdi South constituency, described the bill as exorbitant, saying the state cannot fund it from its lean resources.
He also said the bill was not made in the best interest of the state, particularly at a time when workers were owed several months of salaries, while pension and gratuity of retired workers were not paid.
The House, during the plenary, stood down the bill to provide for the establishment of State Civil Protection Guards and other purposes connected therewith as a result of some ambiguities.
Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, who doubles as chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, said they carried out public hearings on the bill in the three senatorial zones of the state.
He said the Benue people had outrightly rejected Section 12 that sought to repeal the anti-open grazing law.
Minority Leader, Michael Audu, corroborated his colleague, stressing that the people had cautioned them not to attempt to repeal the anti-open grazing law.
