Today we have considered it needful to remind Akwa Ibom people of the existing Governors Pension Law 2014 in Akwa Ibom State.
The controversial law mandates the State to pay an ex-Governor a whooping N200 million as retirement perks every year. Also it makes provision for an ex-Governor to be given one personal aide, one official car alongside a utility vehicle every four years; N6.7million for each of them as furniture allowance once in every four years. Also, the law provides for a former governor a sum not exceeding N5 million per month to employ domestic staff while the deputy gets N2.5 million for the same purpose.
The law which has not been amended since 2014 equally captures that an ex- Governor is entitled to N100million ($600,000) worth of medical service yearly. Furthermore, the law makes provision for a house at least “5-bedroom maisonette” in Abuja or Akwa Ibom for the governor. The deputy governor is given no house, but 300% of annual basic salary for accommodation. Equally, an ex-Governor according to the law enjoys 300% furniture allowance, 300% vehicle maintenance and fuelling, (Both earned severance gratuity of 300% salary), yearly utility of 100%, and entertainment allowance of 100% among others benefits.
In view of the need for financial prudence in the state, we call on the APC government of Governor Umo Eno to listen to the voice of conscience and work with the current Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to review and amend the Governors Pension Law 2014 which makes few individuals in the State to enjoy a chunk of our common patrimony at the expense of developmental programmes that will benefit the entire Akwa Ibom people.
We believe that amending the law will demonstrate beyond rhetoric that the current administration truly cares for its people and not serving the interest of the existing political hegemony in the state.
