Reps blame “bureaucracy” for failure, pledge resolution will be implemented in full
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
House of Representatives lawmakers have blamed “bureaucracy” for receiving their July salary in full despite their resolution to collect half salaries for six months to pacify angry Nigerians and help shore up funds for social infrastructure to tamp down hardship and hunger.
House spokesman Akin Rotimi acknowledged members are yet to fulfill their pledge to donate 50 per cent of their salaries but insisted they are being paid N60,000 – minus huge allowances running into million of naira – per month, not N900,000 as reported in the media.
Rotimi made the clarification in a statement he issued in Abuja, which disclosed that “The House of Representatives has been inundated by some media outlets reporting claims of discrepancies in the salaries of members, suggesting that we received 100 per cent of our July salaries.
“The report claimed that our salary amounted to N936,979.
“We wish to clarify that the actual monthly salary for members is N600,000, after deductions for advances such as housing, which are paid at the commencement of the tenure.”
Rotimi said a Reps member who displayed his salary on television is an exception because he assumed office through a court judgment several months after the on-boarding process was concluded.
He insisted the House is committed to the resolution passed on July 18 which mandated a 50 per cent reduction in the salaries of members for six months.
“We acknowledge and regret that this resolution was not implemented by the bureaucracy as intended for the month of July,” he said.
“Resolutions of the House are ratified when the votes and proceedings of plenary are adopted on the next legislative day. Consequently, the bureaucracy was only formally instructed on July 23.”
Rotimi explained the delay in implementation was due to necessary administrative procedure and coordination with financial institutions, and instructions for adjusting salaries have since been issued and would be enforced in full, going forward.
“There is nothing to investigate, as some media houses reported, as the House’s position on this matter had been provided to some journalists who had reached out for clarification.”
He called for patience as the House is making efforts to earn the trust and confidence of the public.
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