Borno’s new law gives Sheriff, deputy, lifetime luxury after 2011 – … Free cars, drivers, medication to family, houses, staff, trips abroad, electricity, pension, gratuity

The law emanated from the state executive and is headed by Governor Ali Modu Sheriff. According to the law, Borno State Grant of Pension to governors and their deputies  Law 2005 Amendment Bill 2009; after Sheriff and Dibal complete their tenure in 2011, they would not only be entitled to consolidated pension and gratuity, the governor will leave office with two brand new vehicles and two drivers while the deputy will leave with a vehicle.

The governor is also to be provided with a principal administrative officer while his deputy will get a senior administrative officer, both at the cost of the state government. In addition, the governor will be provided with a personal assistant on Grade Level 10 while his deputy will get a similar officer on Level 08.

Also in the law as reported by NTA, Maiduguri on the 7pm news of Thursday, January 28, the governor, his deputy, their wives and biological children will be provided with free medication and would also be entitled to annual leave abroad or in Nigeria depending on their choices.

The governor will be entitled to 30 days vacation while his deputy will get 15 days annual vacation, both at government’s expense. Both men will also be entitled to free apartments: the governor will get a six-bedroom house while his deputy will get a four-bedroom one; the government is also to bear the cost of water or electricity supplied to the houses for both men.

The report also said that the chairman, House Committee on Budget, Hon. Ali Darni Abba Saleh, claimed that the lawmakers deliberated extensively on the law before arriving at the benefits. The lawmaker also said that the benefits were worked out for the leaders because they deserve to enjoy after working for so many years.

The law, however, did not specify the inclusion of past civilian governors and their deputies in the state, as according to Hon. Saleh, past leaders whose tenure was not interrupted by the military also enjoy pensions given to them by the Borno State government. The report showed lawmakers coming out of the chambers in apparent celebration with most of them holding one another.

It was not clear if they were celebrating the passage of the bill or not. Our correspondent observed that the amendment was apparently done secrecy, as it wasn’t clear if at all there was public hearing before it was passed since the matter was not in public glare.