Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment on Tuesday formally denied report on the collection of pension and other emoluments as a former Governor of Anambra State.
Ngige in a statement issued in Abuja, expressed displeasure over the misgivings being heralded through the report, also denied knowledge of any pending investigation as alleged.
The Minister who left the office as Governor of Anambra state in 2006, disclosed that he had never received salary, emolument, pension or severance benefit from the state coffer, as prescribed in the Anambra State House of Assembly law on pensions and other welfare and benefits for former Governors and Deputy Governors, 2006, and amended 2013.
“It is my considered opinion that I respond once more in public interest, to the recurring issue of double emoluments to former State Governors, which has drawn sustained media discuss, and no less negative reactions from a cross section of Nigerians.
“I had cause to do same last year but the recent petition by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to the Attorney General of the Federation of which reference has been made to me in a section of the media means there was either no investigation before such inclusion or it is an exercise in mischief.
“I therefore wish to state again that I am fully aware of the relevant sections of the law, public morality and the prevailing ethos of honest and transparent leadership, which the Federal Government and our great Party led by Muhammadu Buhari GCFR have been working assiduously to enthrone.
“It is hence imperative for me to further explain my own circumstance as I neither draw from nor have at any time drawn double emoluments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federation or Anambra State, having been elected or appointed into public service positions at different times.
“I wish to put on record that since I left office in 2006 as Governor of Anambra State; through the four years I spent in the 7th Senate (June 2011-2015) and currently as the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment with effect from November 11, 2015, I have never drawn a dime even in the intervening period that I was not in public office, as salary, emolument and pension from the Anambra State government coffers.
“In fact, I have not received any severance benefit as prescribed in the Anambra State House of Assembly law on pensions and other welfare and benefits for former Governors and Deputy Governors, 2006, and amended 2013.
“Aside the two utility vehicles given to me some years ago, I have not accessed any of the privileges and other lawful trappings due to the office.
“It is worth stating for avoidance of any doubt that the Supreme Court affirmed that I was entitled to these benefits in their landmark judgment in Mike Balonwu and others vs Anambra State Government, which declared me Governor, defacto and dejure between 2003-2006.
“This explanation has become more necessary because of the calls and enquiries I have been receiving from so many quarters especially my friends and even from my current constituency, the labour.
“The ultimate aim of public office is service to the people and putting the public conscience in mind is the only way to achieve it. This I will continue to pursue,” Ngige said in the statement.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
