Members of the House of Representatives have resolved to slash their salaries by 50 percent in response to the pervasive economic hardship affecting the country.
The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during Thursday’s plenary session, following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance. The motion was titled: “An Appeal to the Proponents of Proposed Nationwide Protest to Maintain Peace, Eschew Violence and Open the Windows for Meaningful Engagements with Government at all Levels in Order to Address their Issues.” It was sponsored by Ibrahim Isiaka from Ogun State.
During the session, Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu proposed the amendment to cut salaries, emphasizing that it was a necessary sacrifice for the legislators to make. He initially stated that lawmakers earn N500,000 monthly. However, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, corrected him, clarifying that the actual monthly salary is N600,000.
Kalu stated, “In light of the current economic challenges our country faces, it is imperative that we, as representatives of the people, lead by example and share in the sacrifices we ask of our constituents. By reducing our salaries by half, we aim to demonstrate our commitment to addressing the nation’s economic issues and standing in solidarity with our fellow citizens.“
Mixed Reaction In The House
The resolution to cut salaries was met with mixed reactions within the chamber, with some members expressing concerns about the impact on their ability to effectively perform their duties. Nonetheless, the majority agreed that this gesture was crucial to fostering trust and demonstrating empathy towards the hardships faced by Nigerians.
The decision comes at a time of significant economic challenges in Nigeria, with inflation and unemployment rates rising, leading to widespread discontent and calls for nationwide protests.
The House’s move to reduce their salaries is seen as an effort to mitigate tensions and encourage meaningful dialogue between the government and the populace.
However, the pay cut announced by the lawmakers will affect only their basic salaries and only for six months, and not their allowances which are significantly more than the basic salaries.
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