President Muhammadu Buhari orders the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to address public outcry over huge salaries and allowances of members of the National Assembly, the chairman of the commission, Elias Mbam, said on Tuesday that Senators and members of the House of Representatives will now earn less than N1 million by the end of next month. President Buhari chided the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission FC for approving excessive remunerations for some political office holders, and urged the commission to seek a proper interpretation of its powers and address the public outcry against the unreasonably high payments. President Buhari also warned that severe sanctions will be visited on any individual or organisation that violates the directive on the payment of all national revenue into the Federation Account. President Buhari spoke a week after the details of the federal lawmakers' salaries and allowances were published, a publication that sparked widespread public anger against the lawmakers, with Nigerians calling for a hugh cut in their allowance and salaries.
Mr. Mbam said the review, which according to him is still going through a process and expected to be ready by next month, is expected to reflect the economic realities of the day occasioned by the drop in oil prices. "We are currently reviewing the subsisting remuneration packages 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," he said.
According to Mr. Mbam, "no member of the National Assembly should earn up to N1million per month" and that the Senators and Members of the House of Representatives have no option but to abide by the commission's new wage formula. "They do not have a choice. We are guided by the constitution and we are going to be guided by such laws that are provided for in the constitution and the oath they swore to obey," he said. According to him, President Buhari advised that they use all legitimate means to ensure that all public office holders' emoluments comply with those approved by the commission and "ensure that leakages are blocked."
As part of the challenges faced by the commission, Mr. Mbam said the commission was not properly funded as it should be one of the agencies of government that should have financial autonomy. Since 2010, the N150 billion annual allocations to the National Assembly in the budget, which includes the salaries and allowances as well as other perks, have remained a closely guarded secret, as their details have always been hidden from the public. Before the Muhammed Buhari's administration, 360 members of the House of Representatives gulp N6.58 billion from the nation's treasury in annual salaries and allowances, while the 109 Senators cost the nation's treasury N2.14 billion.
Cumulatively, the country shells out a hefty N8.72 billion every year in salaries and allowances to lawmakers in the two chambers of the National Assembly. However, the amount the Senators and Members of the House of Representatives remit as tax appears insignificant as their income tax is calculated as a function of their basic salaries alone. Yet the allowances, which are non-taxed are about 870 percent (Senators) and 820 percent (Reps) of their basic salaries.
Comments