Lawmakers Demand Higher Salary and Allowance After Fuel Subsidy Removal
The removal of fuel subsidy by the Nigerian government has sparked a wave of discontent among the lawmakers in the country, who claim that their current salaries and allowances are insufficient to cope with the rising cost of living.
The lawmakers, who are among the highest paid in the world, have reportedly demanded an upward review of their remuneration during their last meeting on July 11.
A member of the House of Representatives, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the lawmakers expressed their dissatisfaction with their pay to the Speaker, Tajudeen Abass, in an executive session.
He said that the lawmakers argued that their salaries and allowances could not meet the demand of their job, especially in the face of the current economic situation in the country.
The source denied that the lawmakers complained about any delay in the payment of their salaries and allowances, as earlier speculated by some media outlets. He said that the issue was only about a salary increase and not delayed payment.
He added that the Speaker did not make any promise to the lawmakers on the review of their salaries and allowances, as such a request would require due process and budgetary provision.
The demand for a salary hike by the lawmakers has been met with criticism and condemnation by many Nigerians, who accuse them of being insensitive and greedy.
The Nigerian government had announced the removal of fuel subsidy on June 30, 2023, as part of its economic reform agenda. The decision led to an increase in the pump price of petrol from N162 per litre to N526 per litre, triggering inflation and hardship for many Nigerians.
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) had earlier proposed a 100 per cent increase in salaries of lawmakers, which was rejected by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu said that he had not approved any salary increase for any public official, as the country was facing economic challenges. He urged Nigerians to support his administration’s efforts to diversify the economy and create jobs.
Newsflash Nigeria is an online newspaper that is developed and written exclusively for Nigerians. It’s packed with up-to-the-minute Local and National Economy News, Share & Capital Market, Health, Sports, Education, Technology, Business and Opinions.
To make further advert enquiries or place an order, please contact us at [email protected] and +2348053316946 and WhatsApp number 08033546732
FOLLOW US ON GOOGLE
