PENSIONS (3): Ex-Gombe governor’s wife entitled to 30-day paid annual vacation, estacode

On Thursday, TheCable began a series on the pensions of Nigerian ex-governors and their deputies. After highlighting the provisions in Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Kwara and Kano, we now shift focus to Gombe and Bayelsa States.

Gombe: Paid vacation for ex-governor’s wife

The Executive Pension (Amendment) Law of Gombe State signed by Alhaji Danjuma Goje (pictured) in 2008 is remarkable for its provision for paid vacation for the wife of the former governor. It says “30 days annual vacation outside Nigeria with 30 days estacode and travel expenses allowance for the governor and his wife.” It provides that an ex-governor and his deputy are entitled to pension at the rate equivalent to their entitlements at the end of their term of office and such other benefits. It also makes provision for a serving governor and a deputy governor who have been re-elected to enjoy an item on the pension trove – that is, a furnished befitting house in any location of the choice of the governor or the deputy within the state.

THE BENEFITS

Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the ex-governor and deputy.

Accommodation: A furnished befitting house in any location of the choice of the governor; one for the deputy within the state.

Transport: Two vehicles to be replaced every four years for the governor and one vehicle for his deputy to be replaced every four years.

House Maintenance: No special provision.

Domestic staff: No special provision.

Medical: Free medical treatment for the governor and his deputy and immediate families within Nigeria and abroad where necessary.

Vacation: 30 days annual vacation outside Nigeria with 30 days estacode and travel expenses allowance for the governor and his wife. The deputy governor enjoys this too.

Telephone: One direct telephone line with internet services at the office and residential house of both the governor and his deputy.

Security: No special provision.

Car Maintenance: Not stated

Entertainment: Not stated

Utility: Not stated

Drivers: Two drivers to be recommended by the governor while one shall be selected by his deputy.

PA: A personal assistant not below Grade Level 10 who shall be recommended by the governor, and for his deputy one personal assistant not below Grade Level 08.

Severance gratuity: 300% of annual basic salaries.

Bayelsa: Nothing special

The Bayelsa State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law 2003 is one of the scantiest documents on pensions. Most of the provisions contained in other states’ laws are absent in Bayelsa. The law was signed by Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, who was governor from 1999 to 2005. The only plausible explanation for this is that Alamieyeseigha left office in a hurry in 2005 while his deputy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, spent a short time before moving to Abuja as vice-president. Chief Timipre Sylva did not change the law as he too left office in a hurry after being denied a second term ticket by the PDP. For all of Bayelsa’s wealth, therefore, the pension law is an “eye sore”.

THE BENEFITS

Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy

Accommodation: Ex-governor entitled to “annual rent subsidy”, not specified.

Transport: Cars not specified but a former governor is entitled to “annual transport allowance”.

Furniture: Not specified.

House maintenance: Not specified.

Domestic staff: Monetised at the rate of annual salaries for four “pensionable” domestic staff.

Medical: Free medical treatment for ex-governor and deputy.

Security: Not specified.

PA: Not specified.

Car maintenance: Not specified.

Entertainment: Annual entertainment allowance.

Utility: Annual utility allowance.

Drivers: Not specified.

Severance gratuity: Not specified.