The Abia State Assembly has achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to reduce the cost of governance by passing a bill to revoke pensions and other entitlements for former governors and deputy governors.
This decision means that ex-governors such as Okezie Ikpeazu, T.A. Orji, and Orji Uzor Kalu will no longer receive pensions and associated benefits.
However, the bill awaits the approval of Governor Alex Otti before becoming law.The news was disclosed by Uchenna Okoro, the House Member representing Arochukwu State Constituency, shortly after Tuesday’s plenary session.
The bill, titled ‘H.A.B 11: a Bill for a Law to Repeal the Abia State Governors & Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and for other Matters,’ was sponsored by Kalu, the representative of Arochukwu State Constituency.
Having passed through first, second, and third readings, the bill aims to eliminate excessive spending on retired governors and deputies by the State.
Expressing satisfaction with the bill’s passage, Kalu stated that it aligns with Governor Otti’s government agenda to trim governance costs.
He clarified, “We did not amend the bill; we completely scrapped it. The bill pertains to former governors who continue to receive pensions and benefits from the state after serving their terms.
We have repealed it, so it no longer applies. Once your tenure ends, you no longer receive any payments.”