Benue State Assembly Passes Bill For Maintenance Of Ex-Governors, Deputies

A bill for a law to make provisions for the maintenance of former governors and deputies of the state has been passed by the Benue House of Assembly.

The bill which sought rewards for former governors and deputies after leaving office was passed during plenary on Thursday at the Committee of Whole.

The Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Appointments, Public Service and Pension Matters, Mr Geoffrey Agbatse, led the debate.

He said that the “law stipulates that former governors and deputies would enjoy monthly stipend as basic pensions equivalent to the current salaries of the serving governor and deputy from the consolidated revenue of the state.”

Agbatse said that “the law also “stipulates the procurement of two official vehicles for former governors of the status of the governor and one official car for the former deputy governors.”

“The state government by the law is mandated to avail a former governor with six personal staff, one personal assistant, two drivers, two cleaners and one cook while a former deputy governor will enjoy three personal staff, one personal assistant, one driver and one cleaner.

“The law stipulates the provision of security personnel on a 24-hour guard or surveillance as the former governor directs,” he stated.

According to him, “Former governors would also enjoy coverage of yearly medical expenses, a replacement of vehicles every four years with new ones of same quality and status.”

Agbatse appealed to his colleagues to support the passage of the bill as it would spur incumbent governors and deputies to focus on serving the people better instead of thinking of post administration survival.

In a unanimous resolution after a clause by clause consideration, the House agreed that the bill be passed.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Titus Uba, therefore, invited the Clerk of the House, Mr Bernard Nule, to read the bill for the third time and it was accordingly passed.

NAN/ Mercy Chukwudiebere