A university Don, Prof. Okey Onuchukwu has called on the Rivers State House of Assembly to repeal the law that empower former governors and deputy governors in Rivers State to benefit life pension.
The Dean, Faculty of Social Science, University of Port Harcourt, who undisclosed this in an interview with our reporter in Port-Harcourt, urged the Rivers State Government to ensure that the law is repealed.
Prof. Onuchukwu further described the former governors and deputy governors pension scheme as economic waste.
He further explained that if you put the figures, and use that money to put in a particular educational institution, it will actually help to provide for the citizens, and also help in employing people.
“If Rivers State Government is ready to repeal that law, I will support them 100%. If you use that money and put in one of the ministry, and employ people there, it will be enough to pay the salary of more than 20 people. Why do we continue to give such a benefit to ex governors? It is totally economic waste” he stated.
The varsity Don also said it is possible to ensure that the former governors and deputy governors enjoys proper medical benefits under a harmonise scheme. He said if they need medical treatment urgently, the government can always come to their aid. Not in a way that they put all these in a package, and pay them at the end of every month or every year.
He also dismissed argument that given a life pension to former governors and deputy governors will reduce corruption.
“It can be harmonised to some extent, but not to the level of which the amount of money is going to them. The governor been a good person, maybe in the long run before he lives office, might fine-tune and see how they can repeal it” he maintained.
