House of Rep earn N9.3m monthly

A member of the House of Representatives, Simon Karu, has revealed that each member of the House earns N9.3 million monthly.

The lawmaker, who represents Kaltungo/Shongom federal constituency of Gombe State, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at an event to mark Nigeria’s 60th anniversary.

The event was tagged “FixingNigeria at 60- Sustainable and efficient democracy: Issues on accountability and transparency in governance”.

The lawmaker, however, said most of the funds were spent on constituents’ high demands.

Mr Karu, who was among the guest speakers, said the sum included monthly salaries and the office’s running cost.https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

“The official salary of a member, House of Representatives which I also receive monthly is N800,0000. I told you I was going to say it, why don’t you wait for me to say it? The office running cost of a member of the House of Representatives is N8.5 million,” he said.

“Those of you who know, know that I said exactly what it is. The problem is what the constituents demand and when you don’t meet (up), they begin to call you names.

“Just before I walked to the stage, I received three emails from my constituents demanding for money and demanding for jobs, when you don’t, it becomes an issue.”

When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES to confirm his statement, Mr Karu affirmed he stated so at the event.

He said “the office running cost is being managed by the management of the National Assembly.”

He said “the funds are released after an evidence of expenditure is provided to the National Assembly management.”

Rebuttal

In a dramatic twist, another member of the House at the event, Nicholas Ossai debunked Mr Karu’s revelation, urging the audience to disregard same.

“I have never received such salary since I came to the National Assembly and I have been in the National Assembly before him,” Mr Ossai said.

Expensive parliament

The pay package of public office holders, particularly the salaries and allowances of the National Assembly members, has been an issue of concern among Nigerians.

The minimum wage in the Nigerian public sector is pegged at N30, 000.

Bit since 2010, the over N150 billion annual allocations to the National Assembly in the budget, which includes the salaries and allowances as well as other perks, have remained a closely guarded secret, and their details have always been hidden from the public.

Credit: Premium Times