Pressures from a Lagos-based advocacy group, SERAP, on Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State to reject the Life Pension bill enacted by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly may have yielded result as the Governor declined assent to a bill proposing life pension for all former members of the State House of Assembly.
The bill has been a subject of public outrage in the state, prompting groups like the Embasara Foundation, to call on the Bayelsa Governor to reject the lawmakers’ bill.
Beyond the shores of Bayelsa State, a Lagos-based advocacy group, SERAP, had on Sunday written to Governor Dickson urging him to reject the life pension bill by the state legislature. SERAP had further threatened to sue the Baylesa State Government in court if the governor assents to the bill being requested by the state lawmakers. SERAP had argued that the lawmakers should draw a demarcation line between service to the people and striving for economic fortune. The organization also warned of the effect of such expenditure on the public finance of Bayelsa State.
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The Life Pensions Bill for Bayelsa State lawmakers was said to be sponsored by Peter Pereotubo Akpe, Majority Leader, representing Sagbama Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. The bill seeks approval for a monthly pension of N500,000 for former Speakers of the Assembly, N200,000 for former Deputy Speakers and N100,000 for all former members.
A Non–Governmental Organisation, Embasara Foundation, had condemned the plan of the lawmakers continue to live on the state resources after quitting office.
National Daily learned that several stakeholders in Bayelsa State have been commending Governor Dickson for declining assent to the lawmakers’ life pension bill.
It was said that this is the first time Governor Dickson is rejecting a bill from the state Assembly. Members of the House have over the years been commended for a harmonious working
relationship with the governor.