Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senators Ben Murray-Bruce might have committed to an open National Assembly and curbing of wasteful spending before its inauguration, but they are yet to comment on the news making rounds that lawmakers will receive N8.64 billion as wardrobe allowance next week.
The N8.64 billion wardrobe allowance was broken down to be N17.5 million for each of the 360 members of the House of Representatives and N21.5 million for each of the 109 senators. This, as well as the vehicle allowance will be collected only once in their four year tenure.
The members of the National Assembly are also going to receive furniture and housing allowances which are paid annually.
According to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the housing allowance for political office holders is 200 percent of their annual salaries, while the furniture allowance is 300 percent of annual salaries and a vehicle loan is pegged at 400 per cent of their annual salaries. This means that each of the 107 senators, apart from the Senate President and his deputy — who will be provided accommodation by the federal government — will be paid N4,052,800 as housing allowance.
Each of the 358 members of the House of Representatives will be paid N3,970,425 as housing allowance upon assumption of office. The speaker and deputy speaker will also be given accommodation by the federal government.
As furniture allowance, each of the senators will be paid N6,079,200, while the furniture for both the Senate president and his deputy will be provided by the government. Members of the House of Representatives will be paid N5,955,637.50 each as furniture allowance.
Each of the senators is entitled to a vehicle loan of N8,105,600, while each House member is entitled to N7,940,850.50.
Nigerians have begun to express anger at the exorbitant figures which the lawmakers who have not even started serving the country, will pocket in the coming weeks. As perceived campaigners for a stop to wastage, especially in the present condition drop in oil revenue has put the country’s finances, Nigerians will expect Saraki, Murray-Bruce and others like them, to reject the allowances. No word yet from the three lawmakers. Murray-Bruce’s tweet was 23 hours ago and Saraki’s 6 hours ago.
As oil income drops, our unitary federalism has no choice but to reform to True Federalism, forcing states to look inwards instead of to FG.
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) June 15, 2015
We’ll operate people-oriented Senate – @BukolaSaraki President of the Senate, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki… http://t.co/fBkaIa6SlU
— Bukola Saraki (APC) (@bukolasaraki) June 16, 2015
The people of the country are making their grievances known on Twitter via #UndressNASS. The hashtag is trending in Nigeria.
Now would be a good time for @benmurraybruce to lead by example! We can’t 4get this: #WardrobeAllowance #UndressNASS pic.twitter.com/M7jj8oUdDV
— Adeola Fayehun (@AdeolaFayehun) June 16, 2015
9 billion Naira in “wardrobe allowance” for #Nigeria‘s legislators?! Not every day Armani oga, sometimes also Agbada. #UndressNass
— Imad Mesdoua (@ImadMesdoua) June 16, 2015
How about Green shirt and white trousers or skirts for NASS members as official uniform? That’s the Change we are expecting. #UndressNASS
— Ebuka Akara (@ebuka_akara) June 16, 2015
And out there is thousands of poor Nigerians who stood under the sun and in the rain to vote them into office, yet the poor cannot afford even two square meal a day God!!! have mercy, there is lots of issues that need to be addressed in this country else one day the so-called senators and the reps will not have a hiding place in this country.