Abia State Assembly passes bill to terminate pensions for former governors, deputies

Cynthia Ezekwe

The Abia State House of Assembly has made a bold move to reduce the cost of governance by passing a bill that will abolish the payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies.

The bill titled,  “A Bill (H.A.B 11:) for a Law to Revoke The Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and for other Matters connected therewith,’’  was sponsored by  Uchanna Okoro, the majority leader and member representing Arochukwu State Constituency.

Emmanuel Emeruwa,speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly announced the passage of the bill at the conclusion of the House’s legislative proceedings. The bill received its first, second, and third readings at the plenary, and was approved by a majority vote of the House members. The Speaker stated that the bill would become law on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, and would be published in the official gazette of the state

 Emeruwa congratulated the House members on the passage of the bill, which he said would have a significant impact on the state’s finances. Emeruwa stated that the bill would help reduce the cost of governance and free up resources for development projects. He also noted that the bill would be referred to as the “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024”.

 The passage of the bill will have far-reaching implications for former and current governors and their deputies. Under the new law, former governors and their deputies will no longer receive pension benefits upon the expiration of their terms of office.