The Abia State House of Assembly has passed a bill to stop payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies in the state.
It is entitled: “A Bill (H.A.B 11:) for a Law to Revoke the Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and for other Matters connected therewith.”
It was sponsored by Uchenna Okoro, the Majority Leader and member representing Arochukwu State Constituency.
The passage of the bill followed its first and second readings, the consideration by the committee of the whole before its 3rd reading during Tuesday’s plenary at the hallowed chamber.
According to the Speaker Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa who announced the passage of the bill, when accented to by Governor Alex Otti, would be deemed to have come into effect today the 19th day of March 2024.
He explained that the Bill will now be cited as “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024”. The speaker added that the bill will amongst other merits ensure that the outrageous cost of governance is reduced to channel Abia State resources towards the development of the State.
The house also entertained H.A.B 10: A Bill For A Law To Establish the Abia State Cocoa Development and Marketing Board Bill 2024 sponsored by the Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Augustin Okezie passed its first reading.
The Abia assembly also passed for its second reading H.A.B 9: ‘A Bill for a Law to Establish Colleges of Nursing Sciences Owned by Faith-Based and Private Establishments in Abia State and for other related purposes.’
The bill which is sponsored by the Chief Whip of the house Emeka Obioma (Umuahia South) was committed to the House Committee on Health which was mandated to conduct a public hearing on it and to revert to the house in a month for further legislative actions.
The House thereafter adjourned plenary to reconvene Wednesday 20th March 2024 by 10:00.
