Edo State lawyers under the aegis Bini Lawyers Forum have condemned the approval of N300 million retirement homes for immediate past Edo state governor and his deputy, describing it as “insensitive, inconsiderate, reckless and mischievous”.
The lawyers berated the State House of Assembly for approving the package for Adams Oshiomhole and Dr. Pius Odubu, arguing that it was self-serving and ran counter to logic in a state where civil servants are owed pension.
The House had in an amendment it effected on a bill for a law relating to Pension Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor, approved the provision of residential buildings worth N200 million and N100 million for former governors of the state and their deputies. The bill also provided that the buildings could be sited in any location of their choice.
But the Forum, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said the decision of the Assembly was “repugnant to wisdom, common sense and good conscience”.
The Forum said it was mischievous that the legislature made such approval in a state where civil servants and retirees, after 35 years in service, were unable to save to build a decent accommodation due to meagre salary and irregular payment of pension.
Mr. Cliff Osazee Otasowie, the President of the Association said: “The Forum condemns in its entirety this insensitive, inconsiderate, reckless, mischievous, malafides, illogical and senseless approval by the Edo State House of Assembly. ‘’
“The decision of the House of Assembly is repugnant to wisdom, common sense and good conscience as same cannot be subjected to any interrogation.
“We cannot comprehend the rationale for this abnormality, inequality and a clear abuse of legislative powers.
“It is heartrending to note that in a State where Civil Servants and Retirees State after 35 years in service are unable to save to build a decent accommodation due to meagre salary and irregular payment of pension.
“This fraternity that promotes personal interest above general interest could be equated to class apartheid.’’
