The South Saharan Social Development Organization, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has kicked against the proposed bill on life pension for ex-governors, deputies and their spouses in Enugu State.
Our Correspondent reports that the bill has scaled through the first reading at the state House of Assembly.
The NGO on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest round major roads in Enugu metropolis, carrying placards with one inscription: “No to political life pension.”
Addressing the Speaker of the house, Chief Edward Ubosi, at the assembly complex, the Executive Director of the NGO, Dr Stanley Ilechukwu, said the group joined other well-meaning citizens of the state to condemn “this egregious bill.”
According to him, it is a needlessly exorbitant gift for already well-compensated service to government.
“We draw the attention of the house to far more important issues in need of measured, responsible legislation, including the scarcity of water and the WASH Bill still awaiting second reading.
“The current Life Pensions Bill is insensitive and ill-timed in the light of the hike in petrol pump price, electricity tariffs and food expenses, causing untold sufferings to the people of Enugu state, with no relief in sight.
“Furthermore, we remind the legislators that similar laws have been repealed by their counterparts in Lagos, Zamfara and Kwara States.
“One wonders why Enugu State would buck this commendable precedent and do the reverse.
“We, therefore, urge the speaker and his colleagues to reconsider and junk the bill in its entirety,’’ Ilechukwu said.
He said that taxpayers were already under enormous strain from the high cost of living and did not need the added burden of unjustifiable pensions to retired executives.
“It is our hope that the people’s representatives will do what is right for the people of the state that have entrusted them with their mandate,’’ he said.
Responding, the speaker said that the bill had been stepped down by the house.
Ubosi said that the lawmakers would always represent the interest of the good people of the state, adding, “we have decided to suspend action on the bill.”
According to him, as lawmakers, we assure the people of quality representation that will definitely add value to their lives and livelihood.
At least 100 members of the group plus other civil society organisations and concerned members of the public joined the protest that lasted for over three hours.
The bill recommends annual basic salary and 300 per cent of their current annual basic salary as housing allowance for the former executives.
It also provides N12 million per annum as “medical allowance” for surviving spouse of a governor.
Other costs built into the bill included the provision of three cars to be replaced every four years for the ex-governors and deputies, in addition to security.
The bill also provides for free medical services for them and their spouses, in spite of the provision for medical allowance.