We Will Reduce Our Salaries and Allowances – Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki has denied that federal lawmakers get N9billion wardrobe allowance.

He also said there were plans by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to reduce the actual salaries and allowances of all federal lawmakers in the country.

Saraki, who stated this after meeting with the RMAFC boss on Wednesday afternoon in Abuja, said the annual wardrobe allowance for each senator is N506,600 yearly, about N2.25 million ‎for their four-year tenure.

He also absolved lawmakers of indiscriminately allocating monies to themselves, and said that RMAFC had the sole responsibility of fixing their remuneration, adding that the Commission would soon publish details of their allowances on its website.

“RMAFC was in my office to clarify (that) wardrobe allowance is N506,600 per senator.‎ I have just been informed that RMFAC will be publishing details of allowances on their website.

“With the current challenge we are facing as a nation, RMAFC will be reviewing allowances to reflect the current economic trend. Fixing remuneration is sole responsibility of RMAFC,” the Senate president twitted.

Saraki Warns MDAs over non-remittance of revenue
Meanwhile, the Senate president yesterday warned federal government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) that mismanagement and non-remitting of revenue due to the Federation Account will no longer be condoned.

Addressing RMAFC boss, Engr. Elias Mbam, and his team when they paid him a courtesy visit in his office, Saraki noted that non-compliance by agencies of government in remitting monies had brought major setbacks in the processes of governance.

He reiterated the support of the Senate in bringing justice to any erring agency that indulges in diverting government’s revenue.

“Monetary revenue and allocation is a serious challenge to our economy. Though, diversification of economy is very important but it is not an overnight issue. We must block every leakage in government revenue.

“We made campaign promises to Nigerians, and we must fulfill all our pledges. It cannot be business as usual. We will do everything within our capacity to elevate the living standard of Nigerians,” he said.

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