Governor Akpabio Defends His N100 million Pension Bill
Governor of Akwa Ibom State Godswill Akpabio has revealed why he is seeking pensions of N100million for himself and N50million for former deputy governors.
Akpabio said the bill will reduce medical expenses and was an amendment to the former governor and deputy governor pension law of 2006.
Speaking through the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, He revealed that it was not a new law as said recently by the mass media.
He said: “The bill is simply an amendment to the law enacted in 2006. It exists in several states. What the bill seeks to achieve is limit endless medical expenditure.'
“The old law didn’t put any cap on medical expenditure. There was no limit. But the governor in his own wisdom decided it was important we put a ceiling so that we don’t make it open ended any more.
“The governor is not seeking an amendment in his own interest, rather it is in the interest of the state because if you leave expenditure open ended it means you can spend close to N500million in one year without anybody stopping you since there is no law. “People must also understand that medical expenses provision is not a payment provolone.
It is not as if you have access to it. There are procedures before you can get it.”
The new bill passed into law on Monday will guarantee Ex governors and deputy governors pension for life and N5 million funds to employ basic staffs ranging from cook, chauffeurs to security guards.
Source: Legit.ng
