The spokesman of the Concerned Enugu State Youths, Mr. Wilfred Okeke, on Tuesday said the youths are not happy with the pension bill proposed by the legislators for former Governors and their deputy even at such a time as now when people are passing through excruciating economic reality.
Okeke wondered why the ex-governors and deputies who serve at most eight years would be considered for pension and gratuity when most retired civil servants in Enugu state are not been paid their gratuity and pension after 35 years of meritorious service to the state.
One of the protesters said, “The Health system is bad; pensioners are not paid their pensions nor gratuity; no constant electricity; no water; our rural areas are nothing to write home about, yet our legislators want to pass this demonic, insensitive and cruel bill”.
A female civil servant who pleaded anonymity said some pensioners are paid a paltry six hundred naira. “Why have their pensions not been reviewed yet to accommodate the present economic reality? Why do men who have milked our economy dry still want bogus pension? All I can say is that these politicians are greedy and wicked”.
Many of the youths were seen carrying placards that read “NO TO POLITICAL LIFE PENSIONS”; “WE NEED A BILL THAT WILL ADDRESS UNEMPLOYMENT. 90% OF OUR YOUTHS ARE UNEMPLOYED”
Addressing the peaceful protesters, the Speaker Enugu State House of Assembly, Ubosi Edward assures that the seventh assembly will not pass any law that will negatively affect the development of the state.
“The seventh assembly would never give, initiate or pass any legislation that would affect the progress of the state,” he said.
Ubosi then disclosed that following the dusts generated by the proposed pension bill which though has not been passed, the law makers decided to step down the bill.”
Recall that on Thursday, a bill for a law to provide for the grant of pension to Governor and Deputy Governor on leaving office and to repeal the Enugu state gubernatorial pensions law 2007 and for connected purposes on Thursday scaled first reading at the State House of Assembly.
The controversial bill seeks to grant pension for life for person(s) elected into the office of the Governor or Deputy Governor in Enugu state at a rate equivalent to the annual basic salary of the incumbent Governor or Deputy Governor respectively; qualifies them for gratuity.
Other entitlements include a medical allowance not exceeding twelve million naira and six million naira per annum for one surviving spouse, provided that such a spouse was married to the governor/ Deputy Governor respectively while in office.
Also, at their demise, the state government shall make adequate arrangements and bear the financial responsibility for his burial; also pay a condolence allowance of a sum equivalent to the annual basic salary of the incumbent to his next of kin.
