The Enugu State House of Assembly on Tuesday stepped down the controversial life pension bill for former Governors and Deputy Governors in Enugu state.
Hon. Ubosi Edward, Speaker of the seventh assembly explained, “The stepping down of the bill during plenary today was to enable the seventh assembly take a critical look at the legislation in order to come up with practical solutions and inadequacies noticed in the bill”.
“Stepping down the bill will help my colleagues thoroughly go through the bill to enable them to delete as well as add necessary sections to the bill,” Ubosi said.
He further said, “Former governors serving as senators will not benefit from the pension scheme, and spouses of former governors will also not benefit from the pension since the constitution does not recognise their spouses”.
Ubosi then disclosed, “The bill is not the making of the seventh assembly but had existed since 2007.”
He however admonished the public saying that they should have allowed them to study the bill which just scaled through first reading last week Thursday before casting aspersions on the lawmakers.
Earlier, the Leader of the Assembly, Mr. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, expressed shock at the level of protest that followed the presentation of the bill, which he said was not necessary.
The Leader further warned the public to mind their utterances and know that they cannot dictate nor teach the members how to do their job of enacting laws for the growth and development of the state.
He however stated that while the assembly will be guided by the opinions of their constituents in consideration of the bill, they will also hold a public hearing which allows the public make their inputs.
