By CHUKWUEMEKA OPARA

The Ebonyi House of Assembly has passed a bill amending the remunerations of Local Government Chairmen and Development Centres (DC) coordinators in the state.

The review was effected on Wednesday in Abakaliki during the house plenary presided by the Speaker, Chief Moses Odunwa.

Odunwa said the review was under schedules A and C of Law No. 004 of 2008.as amended, known as the Ebonyi State Local Government Councils and Development Centres Regulations and Remunerations for Public and Political Office Holders.

Presenting a letter from Gov. Francis Nwifuru, to the house, the speaker explained that schedule A covered the remuneration of LGA chairmen, vice chairmen, supervisors, secretaries and Special Assistants (SAs) to the chairmen.

“Schedule C covers the remuneration of legislative leaders, deputy leaders, councillors, DC coordinators and management committee members.

“LGA chairmen will now earn N450,,000, vice chairmen–N400,000, secretaries—N240,000, supervisors—N230,000 and SAs to chairmen—N165,000.

“Legislative leaders will earn N300,000, deputy leaders–N250,000, counciloirs–N230,000, DC coordinators—N277,000, and management committe members–N266,000,” he said.

The House Leader, Chief Kingsley Ikoro had quoted the amended section 7 of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution as empowering state houses of assemblies to legislate on matters concerning the structure and administration of LGAs.

“This bill is therefore, specifically focused on the review and amendment of the remuneration schedules applicable to the affected public and political office holders,” he said.

Ikoro after intensive debate by the members, moved a motion for the passage of the bill which was seconded by Mr Ifeanyi Nwakpu (APC—Ikwo North).

The Speaker Odunwa, thanked the members for intensively debating on the bill, assuring that the house would always enact laws that were in the overall interest of the people.

“I commend Gov. Nwifuru for continually initiating policies aimed at improving the welfare of the people and strengthening grassroots administration.

“The house will continue partnering with the executive arm of government to advance the present administration’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda.

“I thereby direct the Cerk of the House, Mrs Blessing Edene to communicate the passage of the amended bill to the governor,” he said.

Efforts made by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to ascertain the previous remunerations of public officers at the LGA level proved abortive as officials of the house declined the request to disclose such. (NAN)