A day after he signed the controversial Governors and Deputy Governors’ Pension Bill into law, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday inaugurated an ultra-modern Press Centre, Accounts Directorate and a Uyo Urban re-modelling project to mark the 2014 Democracy Day Celebration in the state.
It was also a celebration of his seven years of “uncommon transformation in Akwa Ibom.”
The celebration was held at the Uyo Township Stadium.
Akpabio thanked Julius Berger for delivering a wonderful edifice, and prayed that the edifice would remain one of the best in the state.
Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Housing and Commerce, Adasi Ubulom, explained that the edifice is the third phase of the Government House complex consisting of a Press Centre and Accounts offices, amounting to about 32 offices, library, standard air conditions, a 24- hour Internet services and a car park for about 38 cars, among others.
Commissioner of Information and Communications, Aniekan Umanah, who thanked Akpabio for transforming the phase of the entire state through massive development, described it as the first purpose-built press centre in the country.
Akpabio had on Wednesday accented to a law that provides pension for life at a rate equivalent to the salary of the incumbent governor to former governors and ex-deputy governors.
The law, which comes into operation on June 1, 2014, also provides for the former governor a provision for funds to employ a cook, chauffeurs and security guards at a sum not exceeding N5m per month and N2.5m for the deputy.
According to the law, the former governor would also be entitled to a free medical services for his person and spouse at a sum not exceeding N100m per annum and N50m for former deputy governor.
It also provides for the former governor a befitting accommodation not below a five-bed room maisonette in either Abuja or Akwa Ibom.
There is also provision for yearly accommodation allowance of 300 per cent of annual basic salary for the deputy governor.
Former governor would also receive a severance gratuity of 300 per cent of annual basic salary as of the time the former leaves office among other things.
The law also covers those who presided over the old Cross River State from which Akwa Ibom was created.
