Akpabio seeks N100m medical retirement benefit[Punch]

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly may, on Monday, passed a bill sent to it by the Governor of the state, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, asking that he should be paid N100m every year as his medical bill, among other demands. The sum, which is to be a part of his pensions package, will be enjoyed by elected former governors and deputy governors. According to the bill, obtained by our correspondent, the beneficiaries must have held office as a democratically elected governor or deputy governor of former Cross River State or as a democratically elected governor or deputy governor of the state. It stated that the person upon ceasing to hold the said office, shall be entitled to “Pension for life at a rate equivalent to the salary of the incumbent governor or deputy governor respectively. “A new official car and a utility vehicle once in every four years, one personal aide and the provision of adequate security for his person during his lifetime at the expense
of government; “Provision of funds to employ a cook, chauffeurs and security guards for the governor at a sum not exceeding N5m (or the equivalent of $50,000) per month and N2m per month for the deputy governor; “Provision of free medical services for his person and spouse at a sum not exceeding N100m per annum for the governor and N30m per annum for the deputy governor. “Provision of a befitting house not below a five- bedroom maisonette in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja or Akwa Ibom State for the governor and a yearly accommodation allowance of 300 per cent of annual basic salary for the deputy governor.” The bill also provided for “furniture allowance of 300 per cent of annual basic salary once in every four years; “Provision of yearly maintenance and fuelling of vehicle allowance of 300 per cent of annual basic salary; “Provision of severance gratuity of 300 per cent of annual basic salary as at the time the officer leaves office; Others are, “Yearly utility allowance of 100 per cent of annual basic salary; and “Provision of entertainment allowance of 100 per cent of annual basic salary.” It added that when the beneficiary dies, the state shall bear all costs of his burial arrangement; pay a condolence allowance of a sum equivalent to the annual basic salary of the incumbent to his next of kin. The bill stated that one surviving spouse shall be provided with medical allowance not exceeding N12m per annum, provided that such spouse was married to the governor at the time he or she was in office. The bill also stated that the provisions of the law shall not apply to a former governor or former deputy governor who resigned his office unless such resignation was on health grounds or was removed from office by impeachment or had not held office for a period of three years or more, among others.[PUNCH]