For years,Enugu State has not had it this way.
With the outcry and protests both on the social media,physical gathering and other plafforms. Fingers raised,mouth filled with endless words- derogatory,inciting and unruly. Uninformed and pessimistic writers had all day to themselves,penning down,happenings and characters,that are not associated with the lion in the Lion Building.
Controversial,as widely reported and published,the already steeped down, Gubernatorial pension bill,grew so loud and it’s accompanying rhythm played beyond the limit line.
Nevertheless,the atmosphere was rife with mischief and unwarranted bitterness. Feud was advanced by the so called opportunists and pessimists, who usually come into play each time opportunities like this, raise it’s head and indirectly,expose their cynicism, characterlessness and emptiness.
The undue attacks on Governor Ugwuanyi which should have been directed to the lawmakers,if they defaults,is an indication that mischief makers are unrelentlessly,bent on carrying out smearing campaign against our good hearted Mr Fulfillment.
When has law-making become the legitimate duty of the Governor?
As falsely accused,was Governor Ugwuanyi,the prime initiator of the bill?
Governor Ugwuanyi, is a distinguished former federal legislator, who is well versed in the litigriti of law and at the same time,well informed about the tenets,contents and workings of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (as amended). He knows where his line of duties,start and where it stop
In pursuant to the provisions of the constitution,it is the constitutional duty of State Houses of Assembly to make laws,leaving the Governors,Deputies and other cabinet members,to oversee the executive stratum,as well as discharge other legitimate fuctions,as statutorily,provided in the constitution.
For legal clarity,section 125(4) of the 1999 Constitution(as amended)legally, empowers the State Houses of Assembly to make laws,granting pension for persons who have held office as the Governor or Deputy Governor of a State in Nigeria. Gubernatorial Pension bill is one of those bills, State Houses of Assembly is empowered by the 1999 constitution (Amended)to enact.
At first,Enugu State Gubernatorial Pensions Law 2007 was introduced during the reign of former Governor,Sullivan Chime and was subsequently, enacted on the 2nd day, of August,2007,by Enugu State House of Assembly,under the leadership of Hon.Eugene Ogbonna Odoh. During the period,under review,no one raised an eyebrow,dust remained halcyon.
Notably,Gubernatorial Pension bill 2007,provides that a duly elected Governor and the deputy Governor,shall be entitled to life pension,provided that the duo officers were not removed from office through impeachment or other procedures as mandated by the constitution. In a relative manner,the approved life entitlements,shall be an equivalent of the annual salary of an incumbent Governor and the deputy Governor.
Furthermore,on the 9th of May,2017,Enugu State House of Assembly,under the speakership of Rt.Hon Edward Uboshi,amended the bill by making a new provision,that further reduced the number of persons the Guber pension bill pertains to,as against 2007 pension bill which harboured both elected and unelected State officers . The need for the reduction effected in the new provision,is to lessen the financial onus that the previous content of the 2007 law,would have incurred for the State Government.
Be properly informed as well that, Enugu State House of Assembly share a harmonious relationship with our peaceful Governor and with such harmony in place, would never subscribe to bills, policies or proposals,that would not be supportive or in tandem with our Governor’s manifestos. It is on this note,that the current leadership of Enugu State House of Assembly deemed it necessary to,bring on,the already existing pension bill in other to make some adjustments on its provision,particularly,sections that spell out outrageous entitlements to proposed pensionable officers.
Before anything else,Gubernatorial pension bill 2017,designates Governors and Deputies, a pension that is equivalent of the Annual salary of an incumbent while on the other hand,2021 pension bill reduced this financial burden to entitlement of pensions equivalent to the Annual basic salary of the holders of the offices.
For record purpose,even,before the introduction of the Gubernatorial pension bill,Enugu state has received irresistible influx of endorsements and commendations from reputable financial organization for its fiscal discipline, accountability,transparency and prudent management of the State’s resources. Such performance, according to records,propelled Enugu State,among the top economically viable States in Nigeria,that can solely,grow without allocations from the Federal government.
We should not forget in a while that,Enugu Guber pension bill has been in existence and in other to accommodate the current economic realities,Enugu State legislative arm, considered the need to modify some overbearing sections of the bill.
Procedurally,a bill requires to go through public debate and audience before, it is enacted as a law and whereas,the contentious bill has not been formally,communicated to public for discussion and consideration. Then, why the firebombing?
Putting the welfare of Enugu people in the forefront has been Governor Ugwuanyi’s determination and for this reason,Enugu State House of Assembly,the statutory empowered law-making body in Enugu State,in line with the our Governor’s resolve and conscientiousness,unanimously,backed down on the controversial bill.
It is only in the administration of Rt.Hon.Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi,we can find such a harmonious cooperation playing out,between the legislature and the executive.
BIBIAN ANEKWE NEWS ADDED..Good governance is the art of putting wise thought into prudent action in a way that advances the well-being of those governed.we thank God for the wisdom upon Gov.Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
Written by
Gibson Uchenna Ilozuru
MEDIA TEAM MEMBER OF ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
