The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has come forward to clarify its position on the unending controversies surrounding the actual remuneration figures of members of the National Assembly.
In a statement signed by RMAFC’s Spokesperson, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, the Commission stated that the clarification is become imperative in view of the recent revelations by the Senator representing Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani.
TheNewsGuru reports Senator Sani recently disclosed that each Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria collects a monthly running cost of N13.5 million in addition to the monthly salary of N750,000.00 prescribed by the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendments) Act 2008.
According to Mohammed in the RMAFC’s statement, the Law on Salaries and Allowances of Public Office Holders is very clear and as such it is only the management of the National Assembly Service Commission that can explain the N13.5 M running cost allegedly being enjoyed by each Senator as the Act only covers Salary and Allowances but not running cost.
“A closer look at the monthly entitlement of Senators reveals that each Senator collects salary and allowances of the sum of N1,063,860:00 consisting of the following: basic 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, House Maintenance N8,433.00 and Constituency N422,166.66.
“It is instructive to note that some allowances are regular while others are non-regular. Regular allowances are paid regularly with Basic Salaries while Non-Regular allowances are paid as at when due. The payment of running cost is not part of RMAFC mandate, therefore only the NASS can explain it,” the statement read.
The statement adds that auditing does not fall within the purview of the Commission.
“Thus, RMAFC also wishes to use this opportunity to state that any other payments enjoyed by any political, or public office holders outside those provided in the Remuneration Act of 2008 is not known to the Commission and the chief accounting officer of the agencies concerned should explain it.
“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,” the statement added.