Former President Olusegun Obasanjo praised Governor Alex Otti for approving the Abia State of Nigeria Governors and Deputy Governors Pension Repeal Law.
The law ended the practice of granting lifetime pensions to former governors and deputy governors of the state.
Obasanjo expressed his approval on Friday during a visit to the governor in Nvosi Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
“I saw the repeal of Abia pensions of former governors; you said to me that the pension scheme for former governors here is too outrageous.
“It allows them to have a house in Abuja and elsewhere, and it allows them to cart away with whatever they can.
“Yet the pensions of ordinary people from 2014 are unpaid and you came and said there will be an end to that rascality.
“I congratulate you and I hope that your colleagues will follow your footstep,” Obasanjo said.
During their conversation, the ex-president informed Otti that there is a significant amount of work that needs to be accomplished in the state.
“You have started well, but you should never be tired nor discouraged, because you will be abused and you will be called names.
“If we have one-third of our states doing what should be done, this country will be a different country,” Obasanjo said.
He encouraged the governor of Abia to stay focused and prioritize infrastructure development.
Obasanjo mentioned that the people of Abia are hardworking and with proper leadership and infrastructure, they would be greatly motivated.
“I have always maintained that if there’s any zone in this country that could really give what I call regional development, it’s the Southeast, because you are almost monolithic in everything,” he said.
Otti responded by strongly emphasizing that infrastructure is a crucial factor for socio-economic growth.
He also mentioned that the Abia government is focused on improving infrastructure, especially in Aba, which is considered the industrial center of the Southeast.
“In the last nine months, we have completed and commissioned ten roads in Aba and at the moment we have about 31 roads that are in different stages of construction and completion,” he said.
Additionally, Otti expressed gratitude to Obasanjo for supporting the state government’s decision to repeal the pension law for former governors and deputy governors.
