The members of the House of Representatives have not implemented their resolutions to slash their salaries by 50 per cent for the next six months.
Recall that the federal lawmakers made the resolution on July 18 and it was expected to reflect in their salaries for the month of July.
However, the spokesman for the House, Rotimi Akin, in a statement, blamed bureaucracy for the delayed implementation.
Akin stated: “The House of Representatives remains committed to the resolution passed on July 18, which mandates a 50 per cent reduction in the salaries of honourable members for the period from July to December 2024.
“We acknowledge and regret that this resolution was not implemented by the bureaucracy as intended for the month of July.”
The legislators had made the promise while deliberating on a motion, seeking to forestall the nationwide hunger protest, which began on August 1.
READ ALSO: Reps to cut salaries by 50% for 6 months to fight hardship
In a motion of urgent importance, sponsored by the lawmaker representing Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, Ogun State, Ibrahim Isiaka, titled: “An appeal to the proponents of the proposed nationwide protest, to maintain peace, eschew violence and open windows for meaningful engagements with the governments at all levels in order to address their issues.”
At the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, amended the motion’s prayers by pleading with his colleagues to sacrifice 50 per cent of their salaries to support the government’s intervention efforts to address the situation.
Kalu said: “This government is doing its best, but one year is not enough to address the challenges of this country. I want to plead with our colleagues to sacrifice 50 per cent for a period of six months.
“Our salary is N600,000 a month. I want to plead that we let go of 50 per cent of our salary for six months.
“With each member paying N300,000 into a common purse, the legislative chamber will be contributing N108m monthly to the Federal Government and N648m for six months.”
The proposition was welcomed by all and confirmed as a resolution.
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