The House of Representatives has failed to implement the announcement of 50% salary slash to help fight hunger in the country.
DAILY GIST recalls that the lawmakers had resolved to take a six-month salary cut as a sacrifice due to the economic hardship currently experienced by Nigerians.
The pay cut announced by the lawmakers if implemented will affect only their basic salaries, not their allowances which are significantly more than the basic salaries.
The motion of urgent importance, sponsored by the lawmaker representing Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, Ogun State, Ibrahim Isiaka, was titled: “An appeal to the proponents of the proposed nationwide protest, to maintain peace, eschew violence and open windows for meaningful engagements with the governments at all levels in order to address their issues.”
At the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, amended the motion’s prayers by pleading with his colleagues to sacrifice 50 per cent of their salaries to support the government’s intervention efforts to address the situation.
The proposition was unanimously welcomed and confirmed as a resolution by the lawmakers.
However speaking on the failed promise, the spokesman for the House of Representatives, Rotimi Akin, blamed bureaucracy for the delayed implementation.
“The House of Representatives remains committed to the resolution passed on July 18, which mandates a 50 per cent reduction in the salaries of honourable members for the period from July to December 2024.
“We acknowledge and regret that this resolution was not implemented by the bureaucracy as intended for the month of July.”The lawmakers had made the promise while deliberating on a motion, seeking to forestall the nationwide hunger protest, which began on August 1.
However, when contacted, the House spokesman, Akin, admitted that the lawmakers collected their full July salaries.
“This delay was due to necessary administrative procedures and coordination with financial institutions.
Instructions for adjusting salaries have now been issued and will be enforced moving forward to ensure our pledge is fully realised.
“We appreciate your patience and assure you of our steadfast adherence to this pledge,” he said.
