Lagos Assembly reduces pension of former governors by 50%

MOTOLANI OSENI

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday approved the report of its committee on the establishment which recommended the reduction of pensions to former governors and other affected officials by 50 per cent.

The committee also expunged the provision of houses in Abuja and Lagos for former governors as stipulated in an earlier law operated by the state.

The report further showed a reduction in the number of vehicles to be made available to former governors and their deputies.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa suggested that former governors should get two vehicles (a car and a van) instead of three as recommended by the committee.

He also suggested that the amended bill should provide that the cars are changed every four years instead of the three years recommended by the report.

While some of the lawmakers, at plenary, had suggested for an upward review of the pension for the affected public office holders by 75 per cent others urged that the pension remain as stipulated in the old law.

However, Obasa argued that it should be left at 50 per cent especially as the report had recommended the removal of houses and reduced other benefits.

While recalling the recent murder of the president of Haiti, Obasa said it was necessary to also secure the lives of the former officeholders.

Obasa noted the argument of his colleagues that the projected downward review of the pension for the former governors and others could also be affected by inflation and other economic considerations but reminded that the House must meet the wishes of the people one of which is a cut in the cost of governance.