The bill, which is titled “State Public Office Holders (Payment of Pension) Bill; 2010,KWHAB 15,” had generated a lot of storm, following stiff opposition from the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society groups, opposition political parties, Kwara Stakeholders’ Forum and members of the public.
The bill was passed just as the Chairman of the KSF and the Tafida of Ilorin, Dr. Amuda Aluko, on Wednesday said the group was heading for the courts to challenge the law, which is expected to cater for ex-governors and their deputies.
The bill, which was hurriedly passed on Tuesday, had nine amendments. A letter was sent by Governor Bukola Saraki detailing his views on the bill. Of the governor’s proposed amendments, only one was rejected by the House.
But Tafida said, “I hope it is not true. But if it is, I will go to court. If you are getting 100 per cent of your present salary and you were given six cars with a pilot car, eight security men, a house in Abuja and Ilorin, furniture allowance, which will be paid every two years, free medical treatment for you, your wife and children, yearly holiday outside the country, then something is wrong.
“Naturally you are telling us that for serving Kwara State for eight years, we should take care of you for life. That is not right and not fair.
“Even at the federal level, we know how much retired presidents are getting. For example, aside the house Alhaji Shehu Shagari has in Sokoto, where else does he have another one? We should be able to tell ourselves the truth. Certainly, that demand, I think, is outrageous and most unfair.”
He added, “When we get to court, the court will have to interpret exactly what the Act says in line with the Assembly’s position; and here is a person who has served this poor state for eight years and wanting to be governor for life. That is what it means.”
The passage of the bill, our correspondent gathered, was sequel to a unanimous decision of the lawmakers after a substantive motion by the Majority Leader, Mr. Ishola Fulani.
The lawmaker had, while commenting on the bill, said that it would enhance “efficient service delivery and encourage good governance.”
The Speaker, Alhaji Babatunde Mohammed, who read the resolution, said the bill was passed following the amendment of some schedules in the bill.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mas’ud Adebimpe, said, “Governor Saraki, had before the passage of the bill, forwarded a letter to the House expressing his views which sought amendment of certain provisions in the said bill.
“In the letter addressed to the Speaker, Alhaji Babatunde Mohammed, dated April 12 and endorsed by the immediate past Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Ali Ahmad, Dr. Saraki proposed nine amendments to the bill, in which all but one were accepted and ratified by the House.
“Governor Saraki had in the letter advised the House to extend entitlements under the payment of pension to all democratically elected governors and deputy governors of the state since 1967, in line with the position of the Nigerian Bar Association.
“Also suggested was a reduction in the annual basic salary of the governor and deputy governor to 50 per cent of the annual basic salary of the incumbent governor and deputy governor as posited by the NBA.”
The statement added, “However, the House insisted on 100 per cent as was originally stipulated in the bill, arguing that this was in accordance with standard practice the world over.
“On the governor or deputy governor, who served only one term, Saraki suggested that provision of transportation should be limited to one personal car and one security car, rather than local transportation expenses. In addition, the beneficiary would also be entitled to one administrative officer and one personal secretary, being staff provision.
“The House also agreed with the governor’s suggestion that two cars and one security car be provided for governor and one car and one security for deputy governor that served for two consecutive terms as well as provision of security details at their residences.”
Comments :
• God help us in Kwara, what sort of bill is this. This bill is self centred and it will be a drain on the state treasury. How can a former governor chose a house to be built for him in any choice location, continue to receive same gratuity with the incumbent, 6 cars every year and 18million naira to furnished the house for him every year with state’s money. Because we’re trying to protest against it, they’re passing the bill fast to become law. This guys are criminals.
Posted by: Mikel , on Thursday, April 22, 2010
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• Ah!!! Dis so called bill is a self–centred one.A gov’t that have not taken their civil servants’ welfare!Oga oooo
Posted by: Adejumo , on Thursday, April 22, 2010
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• My prayer is that Goodluck should pass a law whereby the resources from a state belong to the state and the people, such that the FG only collect taxes and royalties, I am sure by them their eyes will open and all these madness will end
Posted by: Michael Smith , on Thursday, April 22, 2010
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• What I am bothered about is? Have they been able to ascertain the cost of this pension and how much the state will have to part with to fund this greed. Moreso how will it be funded? Will their be an appropiation in the state budget for this. Just can’t believe this stupidity. so if there are 0 past govs it means the state will be paying over 100million as pension per year to just 20 people including deputy govs ..bunch of idiots..
Posted by: Michael Smith , on Thursday, April 22, 2010
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• How do u(press) want us to believe this ridiculous, crazy, or what else could i call it bill, haba! Please confirm ur news before publication o, but, if it’s true, the masses need to carry everything they have, cudgels, guns, arrows, juju, everything and drive away the gov, the dishonourables and all political office holders in that state. Don’t they have elites in that state? or are they just siddon look citizens? i won’t even blame these people self since it is a one man state, carry on saraki
Posted by: Kolawole , on Thursday, April 22, 2010
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