NEWS UPDATE: BENUE ASSEMBLY REPEALS LIFE PENSION LAW FOR EX-GOVERNORS, DEPUTIES
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The statute pertaining to the maintenance of the state’s former elected governors and their deputies has been abolished by the Benue State House of Assembly.
In May 2023, towards the end of his term, former Governor Samuel Ortom signed the measure into law.
Douglas Akya, the state assembly representative for Makurdi South Constituency and Chairman of the House standing Committee on Appointments, Public Service, and Pension Matters, introduced the bill to repeal the law on Monday.
According to Akya, the law was not passed in the state’s best interests, as it has limited funding for other important commitments.
Some other lawmaker like Samuel Agada who represents Ogbadibo Constituency and Alfred Emberga of Makurdi North Constituency, noted that the meagre resources of the state makes it unwise to spend exorbitantly on former governors and their deputies, when the state has a huge infrastructure gaps and debt burden.
There had been public outcry since the bill was passed by the Ortom administration, particularly from then opposition party which later won the governorship election.
Many had called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to repeal the law when he assumed office but things did not take the speed of light as it took the lawmakers one year to repeal the pension law.
Also at plenary on Monday, the legislators passed the bill to prohibit harassment and extortion of money from investors, developers and businessmen popularly known as ‘marching ground’.
Chairman of House standing committee on Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Elias Audu who led debate, said when passed, the law would address the excesses of miscreants who go about extorting land from developers and residents.
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