Senate,Reps Okays Pay Downward Review

Members of the National Assembly on Wednesday said they welcomed the decision of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to review downward the salaries and allowances of members of the National Assembly.

The Chairman of RMAFC, Mr. Elias Mbam, had on Tuesday disclosed that a new pay package, reflecting cuts in the remuneration of public service officers would be released in September.
Mbam, who spoke with State House correspondents in Abuja soon after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, said,

“Presently, we are reviewing the subsisting remuneration package and it is going to reflect the socio-economic realities of today.

“We expect that before the end of next month, it will be ready.

“But, it will go through a process; it is not something that you will just say ‘yes or no.’

“It will go through a process and it should be obvious to you the economic realities of the day and it is going to reflect that.”

Answering a specific question on whether he thought senators and members of the House of Representatives would welcome the pay cut, he stated, 

“They (senators and Representatives) do not have a choice.

“We are guided by the 1999 Constitution and we are going to be guided by such laws that are provided for in the Constitution. They swore to obey the laws of the country.”

The House, which reacted through its Chairman, Ad hoc Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Sani Zoro said; 

“So, for us, it will be a relief if the pay is reduced. We will now have our integrity intact.

“We will feel confident to be called honourable, instead of feeling horrible as some people wish to address legislators,” he said.

“This is good for us on another ground. There are those who see us as looters and thieves.

“This is a message to them to let us be; since we will no longer be paid the money they feel we do not deserve.

“Our burden will now become less and we are very pleased with this development,” Zoro added.

 Also, the Senate spokesperson, Dino Melaye, according to Punch, explained that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, first initiated moves to review downward, the total package accruable to legislators in the upper chamber immediately after the inauguration of the 8th Senate.

 Punch