According to
Sahara Reporters:
Barely a year to his exit from office, Governor Godswill Akpabio of
Akwa Ibom State has initiated a law to enable him pocket a whooping N200
million in annual pay after his tenure expires.
Mr. Akpabio is also demanding other benefits including a new house,
brand new cars, furniture and luxurious living for the rest of his life.
The controversial law, which was exclusively obtained by PREMIUM
TIMES, is known as Akwa Ibom State Governors and Deputy Governors
Pension Bill 2014.
If passed by the assembly, the bill would repeal the Governors and
Deputy Governors Pension Law, 2006. PREMIUM TIMES is still trying to
obtain the 2006 law which was initiated by ex-Governor Victor Attah,
also about a year to the expiration of his tenure.
To underscore the urgency of the proposed law, the Governor has
indicated that he wanted it passed hurriedly so it could come into force
on June 1.
Mr. Akpabio transmitted the bill to the assembly through a May 15 letter with reference number GHU/AKS/S/104/338.
The proposed law, which is now receiving accelerated hearing from the
rubber stamp state House of Assembly, was received by Acting Clerk of
the assembly, Mandu Umoren, on May 19.
When passed into law, Mr. Akpabio and former democratically elected
governors of the state and their deputies as well as indigenes of the
state who served in similar positions in Cross River State, will pocket
several millions in monthly retirement perks.
Based on Section 1(1) of the bill, “An indigene of the state who has
held office as a democratically elected governor or deputy governor of
former Cross River State and a person who has held office as a
democratically elected governor or deputy governor of the state shall
when he ceases to hold office be entitled,” to the new perks.
Although similar laws have been passed by many Nigerian governors
including those of Lagos, Rivers, Bauchi and Benue states, among others,
Mr. Akpabio’s version is clearly the most ludicrous.
Under the proposed law, Mr. Akpabio and others listed in Section 1(1)
are entitled to a monthly pension for life at the rate equivalent to
his current salary.
Similarly, the serving deputy governor, Valerie Ebe, is entitled to a
monthly pension for life at the rate of her current salary.
Mr. Akpabio and his deputy; Mrs. Ebe will therefore pocket a total of
N2, 223, 705. 00; and N2, 112, 215, 00 respectively as monthly and a
total of N26, 684, 460,00 and N25, 346, 580 respectively as pension,
per annum.
This is based on approved remuneration package for state executive
and local government executives by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation
and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC.
The governor is also entitled to a new official car and a utility
vehicle once every four years, one personal aide and the provision of
adequate security for his person during his lifetime at the expense of
the state government.
Akwa Ibom taxpayers are also expected to provide an amount not
exceeding N5 million or an equivalent of $50,000.00 monthly for Mr.
Akpabio to engage the services of a cook, chauffeurs and security
guards.
This provision is in contrast with Section 1(b) of the bill, which
indicates that security shall be provided to former governors during
their lifetime at the expense of the government.
However, the deputy governor is entitled to N2million naira or an
equivalent of $20,000.00 monthly allowance to hire cooks, chauffeurs and
security guards.
Mr. Akpabio and his spouse are to also access free medical services
at a sum not exceeding N100 million or an equivalent of $600,000.00,
while the deputy and her spouse will pocket N30 million or an equivalent
of $200,000.00, annually.
Based on budget figures from the National Primary Healthcare
Development Agency, NPHDA, and the Millennium Development Goal(s), MDG,
the amounts set aside for the two government functionaries to access
medical services could build and equip two state-of-the-art health
centres and two blocks of classrooms in the state.
Section 1(e, f, g, h, I j) of the bill wants Mr. Akpabio and other
past governors entitled to a “Provision of a befitting house not below a
5-bedroom maisonette in either the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja or
Akwa Ibom State for the Governor and a yearly accommodation allowance of
300 percent of annual basic salary for the deputy governor; (300
percent of the deputy governor’s basic salary is N6, 336,645).
“Provision of furniture allowance of 300 percent of annual basic
salary once in every four years; (A total of N6, 671,115 for the
governor and N6, 336,645 for the deputy)
“Provision of yearly maintenance and fueling of vehicle allowance of
300 percent of annual basic salary; (A total of N6, 671,115 for the
governor and N6, 336,645 for the deputy)
“Provision of severance gratuity allowance of 300 percent of annual
basic salary as at the time the officer leaves office; (Another N6,
671,115 for the governor and N6, 336,645 for the deputy)
“Provision of yearly utility allowance of 100 percent of annual
salary; (with the governor taking N2, 223,705 while his deputy takes N2,
112, 215)
“And provision of entertainment allowance of 100 percent of annual
basic salary; (Another N2, 223,705 for the governor and N2, 112, 215 for
the deputy).”
According to Section 2 of the proposed law, a former governor or
deputy who received severance gratuity under Akwa Ibom State Public and
Political Office Holders (Remuneration) Law, 2000 is not eligible for
any other severance pay.
This means that former Governor Attah will enjoy the sumptuous
retirement perks but will not be entitled to severance pay since they
had been paid based on the provisions of the 2000 law.
Where a former governor or deputy governor dies, the bill provides
that the state government makes adequate arrangement and bear the
financial responsibility for the burial.
The government is also expected to pay a condolence allowance of a
sum equivalent to the annual basic salary of an incumbent to the next of
kin.
One surviving spouse of the governor is entitled to a medical allowance
not exceeding N12 million per annum provided such spouse was married to
the governor at the time he or she was in office or if a wife had served
as First Lady.
Unless on health grounds, a former governor or deputy who resigned
his office, or impeached or who had not held office for a period of
three years or more, is not entitled to benefit from the provision of
the proposed law.
