August 17, 2008 New Salaries and Allowances for Legislators The Nigerian legislators have reasons to smile as they receive upward reviewed salaries and allowances in their remuneration packages.
In a voluminous document on Remuneration Packages for political, Public and Judicial office Holders in Nigeria, the Economic Confidential discovered that the increase in the salaries of the legislators was as a result of some economic factors which include: changes in the basic fundamentals of the Nigerian economy, External Reserves, GDP Growth Rate, Rate of Inflation and need for a living wage to ensure honesty and dignity of the office holders.
The Economic Confidential confirmed that the basic annual salaries of legislators at Federal, State and Local Government Level have gone up by more than 100%. In the new review which takes effect from 2007, the Basic Salary of a Senator has increased from N993, 697 to N2, 484,242.50 while that of a Member of the House of Representatives has gone up from previous annual salary of N794,084 to N1,985,212.50. A Member of the State Assembly too has an enhanced salary from N794,085 to new figure of N1,985,212.50.
Apart from introductions of new items and benefits, the Allowance for Accommodation has been increased between 45% to 200% of basic annual salary. The differential is meant to address accommodation problems between less and most expensive cities in Nigeria. Other increased Allowances are: Vehicle Maintenance reviewed to 75% from 30%, Entertainment from 10% to 30% and Utility Allowance from 20% to 30%.
Other allowances for legislators include: Personal Assistant 25%, Wardrobe 25%, Domestic Staff 75%, Recess Allowance 10%, Newspapers 15% and Constituency Allowance which is graded between 15% to 250% for legislators at Local Government, States and Federal Government levels.
The Furniture Allowances is now 300% of Annual Salary which is paid once in tenure at the commencement of duty. The Severance Gratuity after their tenure in office remains at 300% while Motor Vehicle Loan is 400% repayable in six years.
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, is the agency responsible for the package as it is constitutionally empowered to fix the salaries and allowances of all categories of legislators in Nigeria. The previous remuneration was recommended in 2000.
For more detail click: HERE
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Wednesday, December 10, 2008
New Salaries and Allowances for Legislators
