The Lagos State House of Assembly, has approved the report of its Committee on Establishment, which recommended the reduction of pensions to former governors and other officials by 50 per cent.
The committee removed the provision of houses in Abuja and Lagos for former governors as stipulated in an earlier law operated by the state.
It further reduced the number of vehicles to be made available to former governors and their deputies.
Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, recommended that former governors should get two vehicles (a car and a van) instead of three as recommended by the committee.
He advised that the amended bill should provide that the cars be changed every four years instead of the three years recommended by the report.
At the plenary, some lawmakers had suggested an upward review of the pension for the affected public office holders by 75 per cent, others urged that the pension remains as stipulated in the old law.
But,Obasa argued that it should be left at 50 per cent, especially as the report had recommended the removal of houses and reduced other benefits.
He noted the argument of his colleagues that the projected downward review of the pension for the former governors and others could also be affected by inflation and other economic considerations but reminded them that the House must meet the wishes of the people, one of which is a cut in the cost of governance.
He said:”There is no argument, we must realise that this is democracy and it is all about the people. We are here because of the people. When we represent people, it is good for us to listen to them as well.We must realise that we would always go back to the people for support. So when we hearken to their agitations and reduce what existed, it shows that we listen,” Obasa told his colleagues adding that his suggestion for further reduction of the number of cars was because “as you age, your needs continue to decrease.”
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has implored local councils and local council development areas (LCDAs) to create an economic agenda, as well as initiate innovative programmes that would alleviate poverty among people at the grassroots.
Sanwo-Olu, who gave the charge at a three-day induction retreat for the newly-elected chairmen of the councils and LCDAs in Lagos, yesterday, admonished the council bosses to think out of the box and create enabling environment for wealth creation among people at the grassroots.
At the event, organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, the governor called for peace between the council chiefs and the electorate, saying that it is only under a peaceful atmosphere that jobs can be created.
Stating that it is their responsibility to serve the people, the governor added: “You have to write your names in gold,” as you work with your people.
