AMAC approves life pension for past council leaders

The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abdullahi Adamu Candido, has signed into law a bill approving  pension to the council’s past elected chairmen, vice-chairmen and speakers. With the passage of the bill, past council chairmen would be given N500,000; vice chairmen, N300,000 while past elected speakers would get N200,000 annually. Candido said the […]

The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abdullahi Adamu Candido, has signed into law a bill approving  pension to the council’s past elected chairmen, vice-chairmen and speakers.

With the passage of the bill, past council chairmen would be given N500,000; vice chairmen, N300,000 while past elected speakers would get N200,000 annually.

Candido said the bill was to honour the past heroes of the council who had sacrificed something in building the council. He said the law was also to celebrate Nigeria’s independence and the council’s 35th anniversary.

He said only past elected officials living would benefit from the welfare package which would cost the council more than N6 million per annum.

Beneficiaries include six former chairmen, six former vice chairmen and eight surviving former speakers of the council’s legislative chamber.

He said the payment could commence this month, adding that it would be a disservice if the past elected council leaders were not honoured.

“To forget the contributions of these individuals that brought remarkable development to our people in no small measure and to get AMAC to the high plane it is today will be the greatest ill-treatment to these ambassadors. They are today heroes of this council, and we wouldn’t allow their labour to be in vain,” he said.

The past elected chairmen include Kyauta Yepwi (January 1988 – July 1989), Ayuba Ngbako (January 1991 – November 1993, 1996-1997), Princess (Mrs) Vivian Anazodo – April 1997 – July 1997).

Others are Esther Audu (June 1999 – April 2004), Zaphaniah Jisalo (April 2004 – May 2010), Micah Jiba (May 2010 – May 2016).

Former Vice Chairmen include Joshua Kaima, Engr. David Umeano, Mohammed Dili, Engr. Chris Ekponobi, Oluchi Justina Okoye, Mrs. Anthonia Okoli, Musa Ali Gwoza.

Past speakers in AMAC include Bitrus Kura, Alhassan Yusuf, Kuyembo Chidawa, Hassan Mabushi, Nyawosa Bala,  Alhassan Idris, Dantani Zadna and Daniel Michael.