Outrage this morning greeted the approval, on Wednesday by the Edo State House of Assembly, of a pension benefit of a private residence valued at N200 million anywhere in the state, for former governors of the state. The list includes Mr Adams Aliyu Eric Oshiomhole, Senator Oserheimhen Osunbor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Dr Sam Ogbemudia. The assembly also approved N100 million worth of house for all former deputy governors.

Analysts and callers on radio newspaper review programmes in the Lagos area strongly condemned the action of the lawmakers, describing it as unnecessary and provocative. They argued that the proposed pension cannot be justified at a time when workers on minimum wage are not paid as at when due and retirees find it difficult to get their comparatively meager pensions.

The “Bill for a law to amend the 2007 Pension Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor Law” was approved by the house at the committee of the whole. The only amendment to the pension rights of the governor and deputy was the inclusion of the value of the residential buildings in any location of their choice in Nigeria. The bill with the subhead titled, “provision of a house” read thus; “a house in a location of choice in Nigeria of the Governor provided that the total cost of building the house shall not be in excess of 200 million naira while 100 million naira for the deputy governor.”

Other benefits to be enjoyed by the governor are a pension for life at a rate equivalent to 100 percent of his last annual salary in addition to an officer not above salary grade level 12 as Special Assistant. A personal secretary not below grade level 10 who shall be selected by the former governor from the public service of Edo state. He is also entitled to have two cooks, two armed policemen as security, three vehicles to be bought by the State Government and liable to be replaced every five years. 3 drivers who shall be selected by the former governor and paid by the state government as well as free medical treatment for the governor and his immediate family.

On the other hand, the deputy governor was entitled to 100 percent of his last annual salary as pension, a personal staff not above salary grade level 12 as Special Assistant, a personal secretary not below grade level 09, a cook and two policemen as security. Also approved for the governor are two vehicles to be bought by the state government and liable to be replaced every five years, two drivers who shall be selected by the former deputy governor and paid by the state government and free medical treatment for him and his immediate family.

•Additional reports from Nigerian Pilot. Photo shows Ex-Governor Oshiomhole.

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