Senator’s total take home is N1,063,860:00 monthly ― RMAFC

WITH unending controversies surrounding actual remuneration
figures of members of the National Assembly, Revenue Mobilization
Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has again clarified its
position on the matter.

In a press statement signed by Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, RMAFC’s
Spokesperson, the Commission pointed out that the clarification has
become imperative in view of the recent revelation by Mr Shehu
Sani, a Senator of the Federal Republic who was reported to have
disclosed to the public that each Senator collects 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 the 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
respectively”

“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.

For instance, Furniture allowance (N6,079,200:00); and Severance
Gratuity (N6,079,200:00) are paid once in every tenure while Motor
Vehicle Loan-(N8,105,600:00) is optional which the beneficiary has
to offset before leaving office”.

The payment of Running Cost is not part of RMAFC mandate,
therefore only the NASS can explain it.

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.

WITH unending controversies surrounding actual remuneration
figures of members of the National Assembly, Revenue Mobilization
Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has again clarified its
position on the matter.

In a press statement signed by Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, RMAFC’s
Spokesperson, the Commission pointed out that the clarification has
become imperative in view of the recent revelation by Mr Shehu
Sani, a Senator of the Federal Republic who was reported to have
disclosed to the public that each Senator collects 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 the 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
respectively”

“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.

For instance, Furniture allowance (N6,079,200:00); and Severance
Gratuity (N6,079,200:00) are paid once in every tenure while Motor
Vehicle Loan-(N8,105,600:00) is optional which the beneficiary has
to offset before leaving office”.

The payment of Running Cost is not part of RMAFC mandate,
therefore only the NASS can explain it.

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.