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If you think being a governor is very rewarding, wait until you become an ex-governor ─ you instantly become a state liability for doing virtually nothing. You continue to collect salaries called pensions; you get new cars every now and then; your medical bills are taken care of for life; you are entitled to a full complement of domestic staff; and an untold world of goodies. The Governors and Deputy Governors Pension Law 2014 recently passed by Akwa Ibom State house of assembly has opened the eyes of Nigerians to what ex-governors and ex-deputy governors are enjoying. The law has generated so much controversy and outrage, forcing Governor Godswill Akpabio to propose an amendment which the state house of assembly has agreed to effect. But what is happening in other states of the federation? In the first part of a special report on ex-governors’ pensions, TheCable dissects the provisions in three states: Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Rivers.
AKWA IBOM: N100M FOR MEDICAL The law in Akwa Ibom, which was first passed in 1998, provides free medical treatment for ex-governors, their spouses, ex-deputy governors and their spouses. Until the controversial amendment that was done in April, there was no cap for the expenses. The law said “free medical treatment”. In effect, an ex-governor could spend N500 million or more on medical per year. With the amendment, however, a former governor and spouse could not spend more than N100 million a year, and a former deputy and spouse a maximum of N30 million. Widows/widowers of former governors are entitled to N12 million a year, while those of deputy governors would get N6 million. THE BENEFITS Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy. Accommodation: One house not below 5-bed maisonette in either Abuja or Akwa Ibom for the former governor; 500% annual basic for the deputy. Transport: One car and one utility car every four years for ex-governor and deputy. Furniture: 300% of annual basic salary every four years. House maintenance: Nil. Domestic staff: Amount not above N5 million for ex-governor and N2.5 million for ex-deputy to employ cook, chauffeurs and security. Medical: Free treatment and spouse not exceeding N100 million per year for ex-governor; N30 million per deputy (this provision will soon be reverted to “free” without limit following outcry). Security: “Adequate” (not specified). PA: One. Car maintenance: 300% of annual basic salary. Entertainment: 100% of annual basic salary. Utility: 100% of annual basic salary. Drivers: Amount not above N5 million for ex-governor and N2.5 million for ex-deputy to employ cook, chauffeurs and security. Severance gratuity: 300% annual basic salary.
LAGOS: 6 NEW CARS EVERY 3 YEARS, HOUSES IN LAGOS, FCT The Lagos State Governor and Deputy Governor Pensions Law of 2007 provides one of the most lucrative pensions in the federation. The highlight is that the former governor is entitled to six new cars every three years and a house in Lagos and another in Abuja. Conservatively, a house in Lagos will cost N500 million and one in Abuja N700 million. The former governor and family (spouse and children ─ both married and unmarried) are entitled to free medical which is not capped. Another highlight is that the ex-governor is entitled to a cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff who are pensionable. THE BENEFITS Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy. Accommodation: One residential house in Lagos and another in FCT for the former governor; one residential house in Lagos for the deputy. Transport: Three cars, two back-up cars and one pilot car for the ex-governor every three years; two cars, two back-up cars and one pilot car for the deputy every three years. Furniture: 300% of annual basic salary every two years. House maintenance: 10% of annual basic salary. Domestic staff: Cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff (no limit) who shall be pensionable. Medical: Free medical treatment for ex-governor and deputy and members of their families (not just spouses). Security: Two SSS operatives, one female officer, eight policemen (four each for house and personal security) for the ex-governor; one SSS operative and two policemen (one each for house and personal security) for the deputy. PA: 25% of annual basic salary. Car maintenance: 30% of annual basic salary. Entertainment: 10% of annual basic salary. Utility: 20% of annual basic salary. Drivers: Pensionable (no limit to number of drivers). Severance gratuity: Not specified.
RIVERS: 3 NEW CARS EVERY 4 YEARS The Rivers State Pensions for Governor and Deputy Governor was passed in 2012. For all the wealth of the state, the conditions are a bit modest. A former governor is entitled to just one house “anywhere in Nigeria” and three new cars every four years. There will be free medical care (no cap) for the former governor and deputy and their families ─ which cover both married and unmarried children. Interestingly, like Lagos, there will be a cook, steward and gardener but unlike Lagos, they are not pensionable. THE BENEFITS Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy. Accommodation: One residential house for former governor “anywhere of his choice in Nigeria”; one residential house anywhere in Rivers for the deputy. Transport: Three cars for the ex-governor every four years; two cars for the deputy every four years. Furniture: 300% of annual basic salary every four years “en bloc”. House maintenance: 10% of annual basic salary. Domestic staff: Cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff (no limit) who shall be non-pensionable. Medical: Free medical treatment for ex-governor and deputy and members of their families (not just spouses and no cap). Security: Two SSS operatives, four policemen (two each for house and personal security) for the ex-governor; one SSS operative and two policemen (one each for house and personal security). PA: 25% of annual basic salary. Car maintenance: 30% of annual basic salary. Entertainment: 10% of annual basic salary. Utility: 20% of annual basic salary. Drivers: Non-pensionable (no limit to number of drivers). Severance gratuity: Not specified.
Courtesy TheCable.ng