Ex-Enugu governor Nwodo laments the non-payment of pension to former governors

FORMER Enugu State governor Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo has lashed out at the incumbent government in the state over in inability to pay the pension entitlements of former governors who he said are suffering as a result.

 

With most states in Nigeria suffering from a severe cash crunch at the moment, they are struggling to pay the salaries of their workers and the entitlements of their pensioners. In the case of Enugu State, this appears to have affected former governors too, unlike other states where ex-chief executives are given priority.

 

Speaking during a meeting with lunch with the Bishop of Nsukka Catholic Diocese, Most Rev Godfrey Igwebuike Onah and other leaders in the zone at St Theresa’s Secondary School, Nsukka, Governor Nwodo said Enugu was the worst state at paying former governors in the country. He added that this was not the case in other states of the federation where ex-governors were paid their pensions promptly.

 

Among those who graced the occasion were incumbent governor Ifeanyi Ugwanyi, former deputy governor Dr Okechukwu Itanyi, Senator Chuka Utazi, Nigeria's former information minister Chief John Nwodo and the former speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly Eugene Odo. Others present included Chief Maduka Ugwu, Professor Charles Attah, Professor Simon Asogwa, Chief Sam Onyishi, Chief Vita Abbah, Dr Pat Asadu, Ambassador Kingsley Ebenyi, Chief Charles Nwodo, Steve Okolo and James Ajibo.

 

Governor Nwodo lamented the fact that former governors of the state and their deputies were not paid pensions like their counterparts in the country. At the event, he pledged to contribute N2m towards the completion of the cathedral which was started during his administration.

 

Across Nigeria, former governors receive pensions of about N200,000 while their deputies receive about N174,000 which represents their monthly salaries while in office. In Enugu State for instance, they are not provided with vehicles or official drivers like in the neighbouring Imo State or Lagos State where their vehicles are changed every four years.

 

This has prompted several former governors to reject the pension payments. Among those who have refused to collect the money in protest include the former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, Dr Nwodo and Dr Chimaroke Nnamani who governed the state between 1999 and 2007.