The Benue State House of Assembly, Thursday passed into law a bill for the maintenance of former Governors of the state and their Deputies.

The bill was presented on the floor of the House for passage by the Chairman, House Standing Committee on Appointments, Public Service and Pension Matters Mr. Geoffrey Agbatse.

He explained that necessary amendments had been effected on the bill as recommended by the House and urged his colleagues to support the passage of the legislation.

After a clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, the Speaker, Mr. Titus Uba who presided over the sitting directed that it should be read for the third time after which it was passed.

The passed bill provides that a former Governor of the state is entitled to a monthly stipend equivalent to the basic salary of a serving governor, same for the former deputy governors.

By the provisions of the law, a former governor and his deputy are entitled to a maintenance allowance of N25 million and N15 million respectively every four years.

The bill also made provision for yearly medical expenses for the erstwhile governors and their deputies.

Also included in the bill is the provision of six personal staff for a former governor and three for a former deputy as well as two vehicles for a former governor and one for a former deputy which should be replaced every four years.