- Says, Nigerian Senator Earns N1Million Monthly
By Abiola Olawale
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has refuted viral reports claiming that federal lawmakers earn huge monthly salaries and allowances.
The chairman of RMAFC, M.B. Shehu, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said contrary to viral speculations, each senator earns a total of N1,063,860 as monthly salary and allowances.
According to him, the breakdown of these earnings shows that each of the 109 senators earns Basic Salary of N168,866.70; Motor Vehicle Fuelling and Maintenance Allowance, ₦126,650.00; Personal Assistant, ₦42,216.66; Domestic Staff, ₦126,650.00; Entertainment, ₦50,660.00; Utilities, ₦50,660.00; Newspapers/Periodicals, ₦25,330.00; Wardrobe, ₦42,216.66; House Maintenance: ₦8,443.33 and Constituency Allowance: ₦422,166.66.
The statement reads in part: “The Commission also wishes to use this opportunity to state that any allegation regarding other allowance(s) being enjoyed by any political, public office holder outside those provided in the Remuneration (Amendment) Act, 2008 should be explained by the person who made the allegation.
“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: www.rmafc.gov.ng.”
This comes after former lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani had alleged that senators receive an additional monthly running cost of N13.5 million on top of the N750,000 monthly allocation set by the Commission.
Shehu said that some allowances are paid regularly with the basic salary, while others are disbursed as needed.
He said: “For instance, Furniture Allowance (N6,079,200.00) and Severance Gratuity (N6,079,200.00) are paid once per term, and the optional Vehicle Allowance (N8,105,600.00) is provided as a loan to be repaid before leaving office,” Shehu said.
He further stated that, aside from the President, Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, other public and legislative officers no longer receive housing benefits, which was previously the case.
