In a bid to cut the cost of governance, the Abia State House of Assembly on Tuesday 19th March passed a bill to stop the payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies in the state.
The bill entitled “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 Mr Uchanna Okoro, the Majority Leader and member Representing Arochukwu State Constituency.
On his part, the Speaker, Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa, announced the passage of the bill after its first, second reading, consideration at the committee of the whole and its third reading during the day’s plenary.
While congratulating members, Emeruwa, said the bill would reduce the state’s governance expenses and redirect resources toward development.
He noted that the bill once assented to by the governor, would be referred to as “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024.”
Emeruwa, emphasized that the bill would take effect immediately, Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
It was gathered that with the bill, former governors and their deputies will no longer enjoy pension benefits after expiration of their tenures.
Meanwhile, while few states had made moves to repeal the law, many states showed a nonchalant attitude toward doing so.
