Barbara Bako, Abuja.
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has assert that the constitution does not grant it the authority to enforce compliance with the proper implementation of compensation packages for members of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Commission made this clarification in a statement on Tuesday that it aims to resolve the ongoing controversy over the salaries and allowances of the National Assembly members.
This issue is still very much at the forefront of national conversation, particularly among public affairs commentators, civil society, elder statesmen, and the media.
The clarification is necessary in light of a recent statement made by Mr. Shehu Sani, a former Federal Republic senator, who reportedly told the public that each senator receives N13.5 million in running costs each month in addition to the N750, 000.00 monthly allotted by the Commission.
The National Assembly is working to close this constitutional gap, according to the RMAFC, which asserts that it lacks the authority to enforce compliance with the correct implementation of the compensation package.
The statement reads: “A closer look at the monthly entitlement of Senators reveals that each Senator collects a monthly salary and allowances of the sum of N1,063,860:00 consisting of the following: Basic Salary- N168,866:70; Motor Vehicle Fuelling and Maintenance Allowance N126,650:00; Personal Assistant N42,216:66; Domestic Staff-126,650:00; Entertainment-N50,660:00; Utilities-N50,660:00; Newspapers/Periodicals-N25,330:00; Wardrobe-N42,216,66:00; House Maintenance -N8,443.33:00 and Constituency Allowance- N422,166:66; respectively.”
“It is instructive to note that some allowances are regular while others are non-regular. Regular allowances are paid regularly with Basic Salary while Non-Regular allowances are paid as at when due. For instance, Furniture allowance (N6,079,200:00) and Severance Gratuity (N6,079,200:00) are paid once in every tenure and Vehicle allowance (N8,105,600:00) which is optional is a loan which the beneficiary has to pay before leaving office,” it added.
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The statement said, “It is important to also emphasize that with the exception of some few Political, Public Office holders such as the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representative etc., all Public and Legislative Office rs are no longer provided with housing as was the case in the past.”
The Commission also wishes to use this opportunity to state that any allegation regarding other allowance(s) being enjoyed by any political, public office holder outside those provided in the Remuneration (Amendment) Act, 2008 should be explained by the person who made the allegation.
To avoid misinformation and misrepresentation of facts capable of misleading citizens and members of the International Community, the commission considers it most appropriate and necessary to request Nigerians and any other interested party to avail themselves of the opportunity to access the actual details of the present Remuneration package for Political, Public and Judicial Office holders in Nigeria published on its website: www.rmafc.gov.ng.
