Okorocha Calls for Immediate Review of President, Governors, Others' Salaries by 50%

Posted by Thandiubani on Wed 28th Oct, 2015 - tori.ng

A governor from the South east who is known for his vocal stance has reiterated the need for the urgent downward review of salaries of all political office holders in Nigeria.

Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha

Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has called the chairman and members of the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission, RMFC, to, as a matter of urgency, review downward the salaries and allowances of the President, Governors, National Assembly members, and all other political office holders both elected and appointed, at least by fifty percent to make the offices less attractive and check the excesses that go with the fat payments for such offices.

Governor Okorocha made his view known on Wednesday during a breakfast meeting with the chairman of RMFC Engr. Elias Mbam, and other members of the commission at the Government House, Owerri.

According to him, the downward review of salaries and allowances of political office holders would become less attractive which would also reduce the tension that always go with the contest or scramble for such offices.

He also explained that the drastic reduction of the take-home pay of political office holders would equally, to a large extent reduce poverty among the populace and also reduce crimes that are mostly borne out of the envy occasioned by these bloated salaries and allowances of political office holders.

His statement read: “When the salaries and allowances of public office holders whether elected or appointed are reviewed downward at least by fifty percent or even more than that, it would make the offices less attractive and with that, only those who want these offices for service would go for them.

"If one knows that at the end of the month your total pay as governor or national Assembly member would be less than five hundred thousand Naira, most people would stay away. And only those with ideas and the genuine spirit of service would aspire for such offices.

"The huge amount spent on recurrent expenses should be directed to infrastructure, while the paraphernalia of offices should be drastically reduced. Genuine people who are ready to sacrifice for their people should be encouraged for leadership positions while those coming for the gains of the offices should be discouraged.”

Chairman of the commission, Engr. Mbam said they had chosen the state for their retreat because of the good stories being associated with the state in terms of security, infrastructure, tourism, hospitality and so on, adding that they were satisfied with what they have seen so far in the state in terms of her development and growth. He assured the governor that the matter is already being considered by the president.