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Lawmakers’ salaries too small for job responsibilities -Deputy Speaker
Lawmakers’ salaries too small for job responsibilities -Deputy Speaker
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on Monday said the current salaries of federal lawmakers cannot take them home to do the jobs they were elected to do.
While stressing that the take home pay of the average lawmaker is a ‘far cry’ from what people insinuate, Kalu called for understanding, saying the call for the slashing of their salary by 50 per cent is not the solution to the current problem.
The deputy speaker spoke when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Monday.
Kalu said, “At the moment, talking about the salary of the National Assembly. I have said this over and again, it is not as much as people think. Salary is different from allowance, which is meant to do the jobs our constituents have sent us to do.
“Nobody is allowed to touch allowances. It is the salary that belongs to you. Allowances have no subheadings for which they are made for. If you use it wrongly, when you are retiring it, you will be sanctioned for that.
“So talking about the salaries of the National Assembly, it is a far cry from what is supposed to be. And I can assure you that even if we reduce it by 50 per cent or 80 per cent, it will not really impact what the Nigerian lawmakers should be earning, which does not go in tandem with the economic situation of the country.
“I can assure you that based on economic indices at the moment, inflation rate and the rest of them, the amount members of the National Assembly receive cannot actually take them home to do their their jobs in their various constituencies.
“Considering the cost of transport, running constituency offices and the number of maintaining aides who are supposed to have you achieve what the mandate of that office demands, it is not a discussion that will add value to the crisis we are faced with.
“But I can assure you they will be willing to adjust. If that is what will move Nigeria to the next level, why not? After all, we did not send ourselves there. We were voted in by the constituents.”
The Abia politician also praised President Bola Tinubu for having the courage to order the full implementation of the 2012 recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye panel.
Tinubu had directed that a committee be constituted to implement the mergers, scrapping and relocations of the 541 parastatals, commissions, and agencies owned by the Federal Government within 12 weeks.
“Like you rightly pointed out, you mentioned cutting cost of governance. This shows that when you look at the President’s body language and determination, he is intentional about reducing the cost of running the government. If he’s not, he will not be looking for that document.
“I want to thank him for (that) because some of the issues mentioned in that report, we are going to use them as source materials for the work we are doing on Constitution review. And we’re happy that Mr President is forward thinking for him to embrace that report. He means well for Nigeria, especially during this period when we are facing a lot of challenges. In reducing the cost of running government, the need for it cannot be overemphasised,” he stated.
Lawmakers’ salaries too small for job responsibilities -Deputy Speaker
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NSCDC commandant convicted for employment scam as EFCC probes N7.5bn fraud allegations
NSCDC commandant convicted for employment scam as EFCC probes N7.5bn fraud allegations
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has successfully prosecuted Mr. Christopher Oluchukwu, a commandant within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for his involvement in an employment scam, according to a statement by the anti-graft agency’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, on Thursday.
Oluchukwu was convicted by the Katsina State High Court 3 after being accused of receiving significant sums from individuals under the pretence of securing jobs for their children within the NSCDC. Despite failing to fulfil his promises, he refused to refund the money to the victims.
The court found Oluchukwu guilty on all nine counts and sentenced him to five years imprisonment without the option of a fine. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, and the judge directed that Oluchukwu’s sureties be arrested and detained for further investigation, as he had jumped bail.
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Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a probe into allegations of a N7.5 billion fraud involving ten senior officers of the NSCDC, including Commandant General Ahmed Audi. The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, wrote to Audi, inviting the officers for questioning, with the investigation scheduled to commence from May 2, 2024.
The fraud, allegedly involving several contractors and money laundering through Bureau de Change operators, is under investigation by the EFCC.
This development underscores the ongoing efforts to combat corruption within government agencies and ensure accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s public service sector.
NSCDC commandant convicted for employment scam as EFCC probes N7.5bn fraud allegations
News
Tinubu gives new appointment to Minister of State for Petroleum
Tinubu gives new appointment to Minister of State for Petroleum
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, as the co-chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
This is contained in a terse statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday.
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It reads: “In line with his avowed commitment to establish a more efficient, targeted, and consistent approval process for unique oil and gas projects in the country, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), as the Co-Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
This is also to further ensure effective oversight of the gas aspect of the nation’s assets.
The President remains committed to unlocking Nigeria’s immense gas potential to stimulate industrial development, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.”
Tinubu gives new appointment to Minister of State for Petroleum
News
Senate okays death penalty for drug traffickers
Senate okays death penalty for drug traffickers
The Senate on Thursday passed a bill that upgraded the maximum sentence of life imprisonment to the death penalty for drug traffickers in the country amidst controversy over the voice votes.
The death sentence as a penalty for drug traffickers passed through the third reading, the 2024 NDLEA Act (Amendment) Bill.
The proposal was adopted when the Senate dissolved into a committee of the whole for clause-by-clause consideration of a report of the Chairman of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters and Drugs & Narcotics National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Senator Tahir Munguno.
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In a review of the penalty provisions of the amendment bill towards strengthening the operations of the agency, a proposed amendment to award a death sentence to drug traffickers rather than just a life sentence was raised by the Senate Chief Whip and Sen. Peter Nwebonyi Under clause 11.
When the matter was put to a voice vote, it appeared the nays had it. However, when the question was put on a second vote, the Deputy Senate President ruled in favor of the i’s. A slight uproar ensued as some lawmakers were displeased.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole expressed his displeasure over what he considered a hasty consideration and passage of the amended clause.
The Deputy Senate President rejected an objection by Senator Oshiomhole to reverse the ruling, insisting that it came late which is against the rules.
Senate okays death penalty for drug traffickers
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