By Onome Oghenetega
The Isoko Monitoring Group (IMG) has condemned the recently passed Delta State Pension Rights Bill granting a former acting governor of the state, Prince Sam Obi, retirement benefits as a former governor, saying the bill is an act of wickedness to the people of the state.
It, however, called on the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to decline assent on the bill already passed by the State House of Assembly under the leadership of Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as speaker.
In a statement by IMG’s President and Secretary, Dr. Oke Aziakpono and Mr. Emumena Michael respectively, said the Governor Okowa will win the heart of Deltans if he (governor) decline assent on the bill.
The amendment of the Delta State Pension Rights has received criticism and condemnation since being first read on the floor of the State House Assembly and until its recent passage after its third reading.
According to the statement, “Our attention has been drawn to the media report that the Delta State House of Assembly has passed a Bill which seeks to confer on Rt Hon. Dr. Sam Obi who acted as the Acting Governor of the State for less than 90 days in 2011 to be conferred with the status and retirement benefits of a former Governor of the State in addition to the benefits he enjoys as a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
“We wish to formally register our displeasure and embarrassment as Deltans that in such an age and time with the dwindling revenue to the State Government that the leadership of the Delta State House of Assembly can conceive such an anti-people legislation.
“We wish to inform your Excellency that the said bill is not only unpopular with the majority of the people of Delta State but that same is an embarrassment to the entire people of Delta State and waste of tax payers money especially when a State like Zamfara State has seen the light that bogus retirement for public officers are not in the interest of the society.”
“We wish to also state categorically that in the event of your Excellency contemplating to give assent to the said bill or assenting to it, we shall seek all available legal means to ensure that the said bill does not see the light of the day”, the statement further added.
