Governor Akpabio Demands N100m Anually As Medical Retirement Benefit

On Monday, May 19, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly passed a bill which was sent in by the Governor of the state, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, asking that he should be paid N100m every year as his medical bill, among other demands.

The sum, which is to be a part of his pensions package, will be enjoyed by elected former governors and deputy governors.

It was gathered that according to the bill, the beneficiaries must have held office as a democratically elected governor or deputy governor of former Cross River State or as a democratically elected governor or deputy governor of the state.

The bill contains the next demands:

The bill also provided for "furniture allowance of 300% of annual basic salary once in every four years;

"Provision of yearly maintenance and fuelling of vehicle allowance of 300% of annual basic salary;

"Provision of severance gratuity of 300% of annual basic salary as at the time the officer leaves office;

Others are, "Yearly utility allowance of 100% of annual basic salary; and "provision of entertainment allowance of 100% of annual basic salary."

In case if the beneficiary dies, the state shall bear all costs of his burial arrangement and pay a condolence allowance of a sum equivalent to the annual basic salary of the incumbent to his next of kin.

The bill stated that one surviving spouse shall be provided with medical allowance not exceeding N12m per annum, provided that such spouse was married to the governor at the time he or she was in office.

The bill also stated that the provisions of the law shall not apply to a former governor or former deputy governor who resigned his office unless such resignation was on health grounds or was removed from office by impeachment or had not held office for a period of three years or more, among others.

Source: Legit.ng