Senator Saraki moves to reduce allowances of National Assembly.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has moved to reduce the
allowances of National Assembly members by constituting a
committee to draw a roadmap for the review of their allowances.

In a statement issued today, he said: “In response to the recent
outcry from Nigerians against perceived huge allowances being paid
to federal legislators, the Senate yesterday began moves to reduce
its earnings by constituting a committee to draw a roadmap for the
review,” Saraki said in the statement that, “its is the first of its kind
since 1999″.

“It was also in fulfillment of the promise made by Senate President,
Bukola Saraki, last week after a meeting with the leadership of the
Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).”
According to him: “The nine-man committee is expected to
determine if the deduction earlier done is adequate or not;
determine whether the mode of disbursement of office running cost
is appropriate; determine whether National Assembly detailed
budget should be made public; liaise with secretary of finance and
accounts to determine appropriate salary and allowances for
members as well as consider the standard running cost and any
other related issue.

The committee is chaired by Senate Leader, Ali Ndume. Other
members of the committee are: Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central),
Shaba Lafiagi (Kwara North), Sunny Ogbuoji (Ebonyi South), James
Manager (Delta South), Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), Dino Melaye
(Kogi West) and Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East).

While inaugurating the committee on Thursday, Saraki said
agitation for the reduction of cost of governance particularly the
earnings of lawmakers in Nigeria has remained a sensitive matter
which according to him, calls for accountability and transparency in
all spheres of legislation.

He tasked the committee to carry out thorough fiscal examination
on Senate’s finances with a view to evolving a cost effective
regime.

He said: “The subject of reduction in cost of governance has been a
sensitive matter on the front burner of national issues in the polity
especially with regards to the legislature. While much of this could
be due to an underlining ambiguity in the monthly salaries of
legislators and their allowances, there still persists the need to
project clarity, accountability and transparency in all legislative
matters and legislators’ welfare.

“The eighth Senate under our watch recognises the concerns raised
by Nigerians about the cost of running office most especially with
the economic challenges facing our nation.
“The Senate will be more transparent regarding all public funds
spent for the purpose of paying salaries and allowances of
legislators and ensure that distinction is sufficiently made between
what a legislator actually earns and what is spent to run and
implement legislative business and committee activities.
“The watchword in our financial issues will be fiscal conservatism.
“It is therefore on this arm that the committee is mandated to
carry out thorough fiscal examination on the Senate finances with
the aim of coming up with the best cost-effective regime in the
eighth Senate.”

In the same vein, Saraki inaugurated an 18-man committee
saddled with the responsibility of drawing up a legislative agenda
for the Senate.

The committee is chaired by James Manager. Members of the
committee include Babajide Omoworare (Osun East); Duro Faseyi
(Ekiti North), Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central), Sonni Ogbuoji
(Ebonyi South); Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central); Hope Uzodimma
(Imo West) and Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East), George Sekibo,
John Enoh.
Others are Mohammed Hassan, Ali Ndume (Borno South); Binta
Garba (Adamawa North), Kabiru Gaya (Kano South); Shehu Sani
(Kaduna Central); Bala Na’Allah (Kebbi South), Mohammed Yari;
David Umaru (Niger East) and Joshua Dariye (Plateau Central).
The Senate had opted to draw an agenda for itself with a view to
setting up a standard with which its performance can be measured
by the public.

While inaugurating the committee, Saraki said the agenda to be
drawn is expected to strengthen the institutional capacity of the
Senate; build a legislative autonomy and strengthening the
committee system.

He added that the agenda would also enhance oversight functions;
ensure extensive representation; reach out to stakeholders and
encourage civil society involvement.

The Senate president also said the agenda would put machinery in
place to guarantee implementation, monitoring and evaluation,
reduction of running cost as well as effective legislative support
system.

Culled from PMnewsnigeria.com