JUST IN: Abia Assembly Stops Life Pension For Ex-Govs Orji Kalu, Ikpeazu, Others

A move to cut down the cost of governance in Abia State has hit new milestones as the bill to repeal former governors and deputy governors’ pensions and other entitlements has been passed by the State Assembly.

By implication, former governors like Okezie Ikpeazu, T.A. Orji and Orji Uzor Kalu will no longer earn their pensions and other entitlements.

But the bill is subject to the approval of the State Governor, Alex Otti.

The development was revealed by the House Member Representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Uchenna Okoro shortly after the plenary on Tuesday.

The bill, ‘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 the member representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Kalu.

The bill which scaled first, second and third readings aims at removing ‘outrageous’ spending on retired governors and their deputies by the State.

The lawmaker who was delighted with the passage of the bill said it was in line with the agenda of Governor Otti-led government to reduce the cost of governance in the state.

Speaking with reporters on the passage of the bill, Kalu said it was in line with the agenda of Governor Otti-led government to reduce the cost of governance in the state.

He said, “We did not amend the bill; we scrapped it completely. The bill concerns past governors who are not in active service receiving pensions and other entitlements after serving for four years.

“They are paid by the state every month, so we had to repeal it. So, it no longer stands. When you are done with your tenure, just go home because nobody is paying you anything.