FINALLY ABIA STATE GOVT ABOLISHES PENSIONS FOR FORMER GOVS, DEPUTIES

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has signed into law the bill recently passed by the state house of assembly abolishing payment of pensions to former governors and deputy governors of the state.

Assenting to the bill, Governor Otti explained that the bill was an Executive bill.

He thanked the State House of Assembly for expeditiously passing the bill and assured the House of the maximum support of his administration.

According to Governor Otti, his belief from the onset is that government will not continue with the practice of paying pension to former Governors and Deputy Governors in the State as the money would have been better used in offsetting the backlog of pension owed retired workers since 2014.

While stressing that government is not about self interest, the Governor said he believed that abolishing the pensions for Governors and Deputy Governors in the state was the right step to take as it is all about good governance and stewardship.

He commended the House of Assembly for the cordial relationship existing between it and the executive arm of government, which he said was built on trust, respect and understanding.

Earlier while presenting the bill for assent, the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Austin Meregini, thanked the Governor for working harmoniously with the State House of Assembly for the good of the people.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU