TheCable

The Nsukka Journalists Foundation (NJF) has asked the Enugu house of assembly to repeal a 2007 law that grants life pension for former governors of the state.

In a statement on Thursday, the foundation threatened to drag the assembly to court if it fails to repeal the law within 90 days.

It also tackled the lawmakers over their attempt to provide additional pension benefits for the state’s former leaders through a bill amending the existing law.

TheCable had reported how the lawmakers sought to further amend the Enugu state gubernatorial pensions law that was enacted in 2007.

The new bill — which would have committed billions of naira for former governors, their deputies and spouses — was eventually stepped down following a public outcry.

The foundation said it was disappointed with the state lawmakers for such a move “considering the difficulties faced by civil servants and pensioners in Enugu State.”

“What the Nsukka Journalists Foundation has learnt is that the State House of Assembly has deemed it necessary, and more important than the welfare of its citizens, to consider an upward review of the illegal provisions in this bill,” read the statement signed by Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, NJF chairman, among others.

“We wish to, therefore, urge the Enugu State House of Assembly to quickly repeal the obnoxious law [Enugu State Gubernatorial Pensions Law 2007, as amended in 2017].

“If this is not done within the next 90 days, the Nsukka Journalists Foundation, whose motto is ‘Conscience of the People’, shall not hesitate to approach a court of competent jurisdiction, as well as the court of moral conscience and public opinion, to decide on the matter.”

The group further asked Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu governor, to note the state’s infrastructural gaps and prevail on the lawmakers to “do what is right.”

“We are painfully aware of the need to provide water, better health facilities and services, job opportunities for the teeming youth, better educational facilities, better teaching tools and personnel, among so many urgent needs of the state and her people,” it said. 

“We believe that scarce resources ought to be better deployed towards improving these physical, material and social infrastructures.”

Other signatories to the statement include Brendan Eze who is the NJF secretary, Ejike Obeta, Kenneth Ezea, Ikem Okuhu, Aniebo Nwamu, Titus Agbo, Emma Nnadozie and Ikechukwu Odu.