Former Governor Adams Oshiuomhole: Beneficiary of the amendment

Jethro Ibileke/Benin
A Benin-based civil rights activist, Destiny Enabulele, has condemned in strong term, the recent amendment to the Pension Rights of Governors and their Deputies, by the Edo State House of Assembly.

The House in amending the 2007 Pension Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor Law last Wednesday, included the provision of a building valued at not more than N200 million for a former Governor and another worth N100 million for his Deputy, both of who‎ were given the privilege of choosing their preferred locations for the houses.

Also recall that under the 2007 Pension Rights law and as amended, the Governor is to enjoy pension for life at a rate equivalent to 100 percent of his last annual salary, three vehicles to be bought by the State Government and replaced every five years as well as free medical treat for their immediate family members.

‎Enabulele, the Lead Director of Cradle of Black Civilization Initiative (CBCI), described the new amendment as obnoxious and vexatious.

“To be very frank with you, that law is uncalled for at this point in time. You and I know that before now, there are certain benefits that they go home with as they leave office.

“Now, coming to add buildings worth N300 million at this present economic reality, to me, is not humane, because, if truly they are thinking well for the masses, the N300 million would have gone a long way in ameliorating the plight of the masses.

“Just three days ago, I heard that there’s still a large chunk of the pensioners that have note been paid. The Governor and his Deputy served the State for just eight years, unlike these senior citizens who have served for over three decades. If the lawmakers are truly for the people, they should have used that money to take care of these senior citizens who have laboured for this State for several decades before they retired.

“To say the least, I think the State lawmakers are less busy, that is why they have time for such obnoxious amendment to the Pension law. I want to encourage them to work with Godwin Obaseki to help him deliver dividends of democracy to the common man.

“We all are aware that former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his Deputy already have gigantic buildings. The former Governor has at his Iyamho village, he has buildings at Kaduna, Abuja, and one allegedly under construction in Benin. Come to think of it, how many rooms will he sleep at once? What do they need another houses for? They could as well donate the N300 million for the welfare of the masses.”

Enabulele canvases for implementation of Property Identification Number to monitor who owns which buildings, the way Bank Verification Number monitors accounts in banks, adding, “If we do that, you will see that many people will abandon ownership of their buildings on the streets.”

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.