Following the outcry of Nigerians over the high allowances of lawmakers in the country, the Senate President has constituted a Committee to review its earnings.
The Senate, on Thursday, June 25, kicked off moves to reduce its earnings by constituting a review in response to the outburst of Nigerians over the perceived huge allowances earned by Federal legislators.
The move is a fulfillment of the promise made by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, last week after a meeting with the leadership of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
Saraki had promised that the allowances and salaries of the lawmakers would be reviewed in line with the nation's present economic realities..
The nine-man committee is expected to determine if the deduction earlier done is adequate or not; determine whether the mode of disbursement of office running cost is appropriate; determine whether National Assembly detailed budget should be made public; liaise with secretary of finance and accounts to determine appropriate salary and allowances for members as well as consider the standard running cost and any other related issue.
The committee is chaired by Senate Leader, Ali Ndume. Other members of the committee are: Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central), Shaba Lafiagi (Kwara North), Sunny Ogbuoji (Ebonyi South), James Manager (Delta South), Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), Dino Melaye (Kogi West and Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East).
“The subject of reduction in cost of governance has been a sensitive matter on the front burner of national issues in the polity especially with regards to the legislature. While much of this could be due to an underlining ambiguity in the monthly salaries of legislators and their allowances, there still persists the need to project clarity, accountability and transparency in all legislative matters and legislators’ welfare", Saraki said.