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.
Soon, very soon, masses will so deal with them that they will curse d day they were born. Selfish leaders.
ReplyDeleteDis is greediness
ReplyDeleteHe takes all dis and what now happens to rest members of the state
ReplyDeleteMy God is this for real?
ReplyDeleteThis is the highest form of madness,wickedness and greed.
May Gods wrath be on this vampires Amen.
These people have no thought of the masses atall.
It is not a news because we are aware that he is the most corrupt of all these governors. He assumes to be untouchable because Jonathan sees him as the only man that can help him rig for his reelection . He assassinate oppositions in his state without investigation. He is one of those who will die before 2015". Evil man.
ReplyDeleteNa wa ooo. So after all the looting u re still not satisfied? Just hope that when u die u re taking sm to where ever u re going. If u re demanding for 200m wat will be left for the state nd the poor masses that voted u there?. What should this one be called? Greed or Madness?
ReplyDeleteAkpabio u av spoil ur reputation by brigging out this kind of idea, av it in mine that it will not work.... This is madness
ReplyDeleteThis is not real, I believe its just a scam meant to rubbish the good reputation of our amiable and digital governor, but they won't succeed.
ReplyDelete