A former governor of Abia State Chief Orji Uzor Kalu and a former Deputy
Governor, Sir Emeka Ananaba have written Governor Okezie Ikpeazu over
their entitlements as former governor and deputy governor of the state.
Kalu and Ananaba who served at different periods wrote in their capacity
as former democratically elected governor and deputy governor,
respectively, of the state in lieu of their entitlements as contained in
the Abia State Governor/Deputy Governor’s Pension Law 2001.
According to a press release by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor
Ikpeazu, Enyinnaya Appolos, the Governor has directed relevant officials
of the state to commence the process of verification of their entitlements
as former elected officials of the state in accordance with relevant state
and federal laws.
It will be recalled that Kalu, while serving as governor of the state
between 1999 and 2007, signed into law the Abia State Governor/Deputy
Governor’s Pension Law of 2001.
Kalu’s demand letter, dated January 23, 2017, titled “Re: My outstanding
unpaid entitlements: Reminder” reads in part: “This is to remind Your
Excellency of my outstanding unpaid entitlements under S.5 (a) of the Abia
State Governor/Deputy Governor’s Pension Law 2001.
“The outstanding balance covers the period from 2009 to date, including my
severance fee and personal vehicles.
“I would appreciate it immensely if Your Excellency would direct the
immediate payment of all my outstanding entitlements to date as provided
by the aforesaid law into my account.”
Kalu was governor of Abia state from 1999 to 2007 when his eight years
tenure ended.
He was paid all his entitlements by the immediate past governor of the
state, Senator T.A Orji, until 2009.
Section 3 of the law provides that; “A person who had held office as a
democratically elected Governor or Deputy Governor of Abia State of
Nigeria and was not removed from office as a result of impeachment shall
be entitled to such pension, allowances and privileges in accordance with
this law.”
Section 4 reads: “There shall be charged on and paid out of the
consolidated revenue of the state such sums of money as may from time to
time be granted by the state government by way of pension, allowance and
privileges in accordance with this law.
Section 5 reads: “A person who has held office as Governor in accordance
with Section 3 of this law shall be entitled to: (i) pension for life at a
rate equivalent to the salary of the incumbent Governor. (ii) An official
car with a police driver, two state security services agents, two armed
policemen for the security of his house and provision of adequate security
comprising, at least, two armed policemen for his person during his
lifetime at the expense of the state government. (iii) allowances for a
cook, steward, driver and gardener to be determined from time to time by
government. (iv) provision of medical attention for his person subject to
approval of the incumbent governor.”
The same law is applicable to a democratically elected deputy governor of
the state who has successfully completed his/her tenure.
The immediate past Governor of the state, Chief T A Orji, and former Deputy
Governor, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who are currently representing Abia
Central and Abia South Senatorial Districts respectively at the Senate are
not yet entitled to pension from the state and have not made demands for
payment.
Please this is News and not Top News
—————————- Original Message —————————-
Subject: Top News
From: jackson@pointblanknews.com
Date: Sun, February 26, 2017 6:09 am
To: pointblank@zeroone.ws
benjamintosin@gmail.com
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