The Nigerian Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom State chapter, on Monday failed to embark on a protest to halt the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly from passing the N100m bill, Governor Godwill Akpabio presented to the House for approval. The NLC state chairman, Mr. Unyime Usoro, who told our correspondent on Sunday that the labour union would embark on a protest to dissuade the House from passing the outrageous bill, turned numb as the House after moving a motion for the bill to be read the third time, passed it into law. The executive bill which had earlier passed the first and second reading was presented for deliberations at the committee of the whole at plenary.
The bill as passed sought a pension for life at a rate equivalent to the salary of the incumbent governor to former governors and ex-deputy governors. The law also provided for the former governor a provision for funds to employ a cook, chauffeurs and security guards at a sum not exceeding N5m per month and N2.5m for the deputy.
According to the bill as passed, the former governor would also be entitled to a free medical services for his person and spouse at a sum not exceeding N100m per annum and N50m for former deputy governor.
The bill also sought to provide for the former governor a befitting accommodation not below a five-bed room maisonette in either Abuja or Akwa Ibom for governor.
The bill also provided for yearly accommodation allowance of 300 per cent of annual basic salary for the deputy governor of Akwa Ibom.
The former governor would also receive a severance gratuity of 300 per cent of annual basic salary as of the time the former leaves office among other things.
After heated debate by members, the deputy leader
Dr. Ekaete Okon (PDP), moved a motion for the bill to be read the third time and passed into law.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Aniekan Akpan, PDP member representing Ukanafun state constituency.
The Speaker, Mr. Samuel Ikon, directed the clerk of the House, Mrs. Mandu Umoren, to forward a clean copy of the bill to the governor for assent.
However, the eligibility aspect of the bill, took the House over three hours to deliberate upon.
