Obasempire reports that Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP – Kano South) has addressed the debate over the true salary and allowances of federal lawmakers.
Sumaila disclosed that he receives N21 million in allowances each month, in addition to a monthly salary of approximately N1 million.
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Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central during the 8th Assembly, previously revealed that each Senator receives a monthly running cost of N13.5 million, besides the N750,000 stipulated by the RMAFC.
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), responsible for setting salaries and allowances of public officials, announced on Tuesday that each Senate member’s total monthly salary and allowances amount to N1,063,860.00.
The Commission detailed the total monthly pay for lawmakers, which includes: a basic salary of N168,866.70; motor vehicle fueling and maintenance allowance of N126,650; N42,216.66 for a personal assistant; domestic staff – N126,650.00; entertainment – N50,660.00; utilities – N50,660.00; newspapers/periodicals – N25,330.00; wardrobe allowance – N42,216.66; house maintenance – N8,443.33; and constituency allowance – N422,166.66.
However, speaking to BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday, Sumaila stated that the monthly salary was set by the RMAFC.
“My monthly salary is less than N1million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over N600,000,” Senator Sumaila said, adding that: “Given the increase effected, in the Senate, each Senator gets N21million every month as running cost.”
“For instance, furniture allowance (N6,079,200 million) and severance gratuity (N6,079,200 million) are paid once in every tenure and vehicle allowance (N8,105,600 million) which is optional is a loan which the beneficiary has to pay before leaving office.
“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,” the RMAFC chairman said in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday.”
He noted that with the exception of some few political and public office holders such as the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representative, among others, all public and legislative officers are no longer provided with housing as was the case in the past.
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“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,” he said.
He lamented that RMAFC does not have constitutional powers to enforce compliance with proper implementation of the official remuneration package, a lacuna he said was being addressed by the National Assembly.
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