Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, has asserted that the salaries received by members of the National Assembly are insufficient to adequately address the demands and projects of their respective constituents, News About Nigeria reports.
Former Kaduna senator, Shehu Sani, previously revealed that lawmakers in the upper legislative chamber receive approximately N14.2 million monthly.
He said, “I think what we can say is that the running cost of a senator is N13.5 million every month.
“But what I am saying is that that money (N13.5 million per month) must be receipted for what you do with it. But what you are given to go and spend without any accountability is N750,000.”
Senate president Akpabio acknowledged that the current monthly pay of N14.2 million is significantly inadequate for senators. He emphasized that considering the multitude of requests from constituents represented in the National Assembly, lawmakers’ earnings are not enough to cover all necessary expenses.
The Senate president made these remarks during a debate on a motion presented by Kano lawmaker, Senator Abdulrahman Kawu, regarding the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) planned strike. Akpabio urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the government as they work to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal, acknowledging the hardships brought about by the decision.
Senator Kawu highlighted the potential consequences of the NLC strike, warning of severe disruptions to transportation, markets, schools, and healthcare facilities. He expressed concerns about the potential for political instability and argued that the costs of the strike would outweigh any potential gains for either party involved.
Following the debate, the Senate resolved to have its leadership mediate between the NLC and the federal government to prevent the planned strike.
Akpabio reiterated that the salaries of National Assembly members are not sufficient to meet the demands of their constituents and address the numerous projects they are expected to undertake. The issue of adequate compensation for lawmakers remains a matter of concern, given the challenges they face in serving their constituents effectively.
