At a time Nigerian politicians are accused of master minding the poverty stricken nature of the masses, Enugu politicians in the state legislature appear to be lending credence to that charge. This is consequent on the efforts of the law makers to legislate humungous pensions and gratuity and for the past governors.
The reports making the rounds also stated that the spouses of the former governors and their deputies would be entitled to one million monthly medical allowance or N12m per annum for each of them. The governors would each receive 3 cars every four years and an undisclosed huge sums for pensions and gratuity.
For a state government with a fragile economy struggling to survive, the actions of the legislators have generated serious public opprobrium and condemnation. Many hold the view that the private member bill which is suspected to have executive hand writing represents the height of recklessness and insensitivity because the expense is not backed by any amount of productivity other than the tag of retirees.
News Echo is also alarmed that the government would be expending such huge amount of funds on just a handful of people when the greater majority of Enugu people are reeling in abject poverty. It is not yet convincing why the legislators would embark on another review of benefits when it had done so four years ago under the same government of governor Ugwuanyi.
At a time of dwindling economic fortunes when sacrifices should be made for the interest of the down trodden the government is hiking the benefits of the privileged class instead of the other. The government it is clear has abandoned prudence for profligacy seeking to favour the political class instead of the masses.
If these huge benefits represents rewards for just eight years of service what are civil servants who have put in over 35 years of service earning as their pensions and gratuity. Enugu state is among the states that are not enjoying regular payments of salaries and pension of payment. It is also challenged by a myriad other issues including poor road network, poor health facilities, poor water supply, lack of rural development among others.
It is important too to ascertain the debt profile of the state and other obligations, locally and internationally and determine what efforts to reduce or extinguish them before plunging into such non-productive expense that will only further widen the gulf between the rich and the poor.
The payment of such ‘armed robber benefits’ will further accentuate the level of corruption in the state as those who feel the inequity will seek ways to even up especially when they may have made huge sacrifices for the development of the state. It will generate bad blood among the oppressed civil servants.
That the legislators who are representatives of the people could embark on such devilry is a reflection of how well they bear the interest of their people at heart. Whatever may be their justifications for such cannot convince anyone.
We wish to note without fear or favour that the action of the state government and the legislature are quite insensitive, provocative and oppressive. All efforts should be made to halt any further arrangements to pay such benefits. We call on Nigerian politicians to spare some concerns to the plight of the people. There is no better time to do so than now.
