The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Orlu Branch, has reacted to Governor Hope Uzodimma’s revocation of pensions to former Governors, Speakers and their Deputies.
Celestine Agbordike, Chairman of NBA, Orlu Branch, spoke in an interview with newsmen on Sunday.
NAN reports that he also applauded members of the Imo State House of Assembly for backing Uzodinma’s action.
Agbordike said the new legislation had liberated Imo people from the humongous financial burden of servicing past officeholders.
The lawyer noted that the law, which provided that former leaders got new vehicles every three years, was anti-people as the payment of salaries and pensions to retirees remains a challenge in the state.
Agbordike said the Hope Uzodimma administration “has written its name in gold in our history. It has saved Imo State over N1billion annually with the signing into law the bill”.
He noted that the law “was passed by the Eighth Assembly and assented to by Sen. Rochas Okoroacha administration in the most clandestine manner”.
“It was done in a bid to exploit the people of Imo, especially the senior citizens whose pensions are not paid as and when due because of the paucity of funds according to the state government.”
Agbordike said it was unfortunate that those accusing the state government of owing workers and retirees were also collecting huge amounts monthly after being in office for years.
The NBA chairman advised other states where such laws still exists to follow suit and repeal it.
He added that Imo State is now free from the exploitation of former governors, speakers and their deputies.
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