Ending double salaries for N/Assembly members
Has democracy been turned on its head? Are we now operating a government of the elites, by the elites and for the elites; which negates the sacred ideals and principles democracy represents? Has public trust lost its meaning and value in Nigeria, due to repeated and wanton betrayal by public servants? This and more questions continue to beg for answers as the gulf of class inequality keeps widening, with the rich getting richer and the poor becoming poorer.
It is ironical and at the same time hypocritical that a country that is in desperate need of inclusive development still spends large chunk of its annual budget to cater for the profligate lifestyle of just 1% of its population.
On the 17th May, 2018, during Civil Society/Media Roundtable on
Fiscal Transparency on the Annual Payment of Salaries and Pensions of Members of the National Assembly held in Kaduna; the resource-person, Ambassador Chibuzo Okereke, exposed how some public servants have taken advantage of our laws to feed fat on our commonwealth in the midst of abject penury and underdevelopment.
He revealed, at the event that 21 serving senators and five ministers are collecting pensions and allowances as former governors and deputy governors, while at the same time receiving salaries and allowances entitled to the present positions they occupy.
Those identified include: Senator Bukola Saraki, Kwara, former governor; Senator Rabiu Kwankwanso, Kano, former governor; Senator Kabiru Gaya, Kano, former governor; Senator Godswill Akpabio, Akwa-Ibom, former governor; Senator Theodore Orji, Abia, former governor; Senator Abudullahi Adamu, Nasarawa, former governor; Senator Sam Egwu, Ebonyi, former governor; Senator Shaaba Lafiagi, Kwara, former governor; Senator Joshua Dariye, Plateau, former governor; Senator Jonah Jang, Plateau, former governor; Senator Aliyu Magatarkada Wamako, Sokoto, former governor.
Others enjoying this largesse are: Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima, Zamfara, former governor; Senator Danjuma Goje, Gombe, former governor; Senator Bukkar Abba Ibrahim, Yobe, former governor; Senator Adamu Aliero, Kebbi ,former governor; Senator George Akume, Benue, former governor; Senator Isiaka Adeleke (now Late), Osun, former governor; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia, former deputy governor; Senator Biodun Olujimi, Ekiti, former deputy governor; Senator Danladi Abubakar Sani, Taraba, former acting governor; Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Rivers, minister; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti, minister; Dr. Chris Ngige, Anambra, minister; Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Lagos, minister; and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Abia, minister.
The point must be made that by virtue of the National Assembly Commission Act, Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission Act and their various State Pension Laws; the identified senators and ministers have not broken any law. However, they are morally bound a to follow the foot step of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who just recently has stopped his pension and allowances as the former governor of Kwara state. His colleagues should also do same by ensuring that they suspend or totally forfeit it; and in good faith return all pensions and allowances collected since assuming their present public office. These returned funds can then be used for more pressing developmental purposes in their states.
With the celebrated revelation made by Senator Shehu Sani on how much Senators earn, it means these individuals involved are already catered for adequately. So therefore, there is no need to continue to impoverish their states by receiving bogus pensions and allowances on the back of suffering citizens and detriment of development. Just to show how a few individuals have continued to feed fat in the midst of widespread unemployment, hunger, poverty, salaries owed civil servants and underdevelopment; two examples among many will be cited of State Pension laws that enable such unjustified double salaries.
Lagos State Governor and Deputy Governor Law of 2007 provides: life salary of 100% of the salary of the incumbent for former governors who were not impeached; two houses worth not less than N300m each. Another house in Abuja for those who served complete two terms; 300% as furniture allowance every two years; house and vehicle maintenance 10% and 30% respectively; utility bills at 20%. Annual pension put at N30million; entertainment 10%, six and four domestic staff paid by government. All round medical coverage for them and families, security and 6 vehicles of not less than N20m replaceable every three years and utility cars at N5million.
In Zamfara state, the Grant of Pension to Governor or Deputy Governor Amendment Law, 2006 provides for: life pension for former governors at 100% of the salary of the incumbent. It further provides for two vehicles at N20m each, domestic staff and medical as well as vacation at home or abroad. Consider that a former governor of Zamfara State has been in the Senate since 2007, benefiting from this State Law, receiving N12, 902,960 per annum as salaries from the state and N24,327,600 as a Senator for tenure of four years.
This is a call to action; citizens, civil society groups and media should engage in massive advocacy targeted at the National and State Assemblies demanding the amendment of all laws that allow public servants to earn double payments be it as salaries, pensions or allowances. With an infrastructure deficit of about three trillion dollars, according to the World Bank, Nigeria cannot continue to afford this linkages and wastages, if we are truly serious about development. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to join other well-meaning Nigerians to support this campaign to #EndDoubleSalariesfor NASSMembers.
Yusuf Ishaku Goje Coalition of Associations for Leadership, Peace, Empowerment & Development
(CALPED)greatnessygoje@gmail. com