NAN-H-86
Amendment
By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, Nov. Abuja, Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Socio-Economic Right Project (SERAP) has urged on Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo to withdraw the N300 million mansion retirement benefits law for ex-Gov. Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu.
Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, the Executive Director of SERAP, made the call in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
Mumuni noted that the state House of Assembly had passed an amendment to a law which now stipulates the state builds a house worth N200 million for the governor and another worth N100 million for his deputy as part of their retirement package.
It also provides that the buildings could be sited in any location of their choice.
Mumuni said that the money should be used to clear the backlog of pension arrears spanning between seven and 45 months.
“At a time, the state government can’t even pay its pensioners and salaries of workers, the amendment by the state House of Assembly is immoral, unfair, unconstitutional and unreasonable.
“The amendment is also a rip-off on a massive scale. Gov. Obaseki must reject this grotesque law, if he wants to fulfill his election promises and lift state pensioners out of poverty.
“This so-called proposed legislation means pensioners and workers will have to fund the massive and unjust pensions for Oshiomhole, his deputy and others that will come after them.’’
Mumuni said that many retirees whose pensions had not been paid, had been evicted from their apartments due to their inability to pay rents.
He added that SERAP was aware that the state government was not the only state passing such horrible pension laws to provide outrageous retirement benefits to former governors and deputy governors.
“SERAP is finalising a comprehensive legal strategy to challenge these unjust laws and to name and shame those who continue to benefit from such laws.
“Nigerians should not be made to subsidise these bloated pensions and clearly undeserved bonus.
“Approving the amendment by the House of Assembly will amount to a fundamental breach of the governor’s constitutional oath declaration to serve the interest of justice, common good, transparency and accountability.
“SERAP is appalled by this apparently unfair and discriminatory law. There is absolutely no justification for such law at a time the pensions systems across the country are in poor shape.” (NAN)
VOE/YAZ
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Edited by Yusuf Zango