The Benue state house of assembly has repealed the law that guaranteed a sizeable pension for former elected governors and their deputies. The law was passed by the previous assembly and signed by former governor, Samuel Ortom, just days before the expiration of his tenure.
The bill 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.
The repeal bill sponsored by Douglas Akya, the chairman of the house standing committee on appointments, public service and pension matters, representing Makurdi south constituency in the state assembly was passed on Monday and expected to face no hurdles on the governor’s desk. Many had called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to repeal the law immediately he assumed office, citing the state’s meagre resources, debt burden and huge infrastructure gap.
The bill’s sponsor echoed the same sentiment when he said the law was not enacted in the interest of the state which has lean resources to finance other pressing obligations.
Other lawmakers like Samuel Agada who represents Ogbadibo constituency and Alfred Emberga of Makurdi north constituency, showed strong support for the bill noting that the meagre resource of the state makes it unwise to spend exorbitantly on former governors and their deputies, when the state has a huge infrastructure gaps and debt burden.
