CNPP Condemns Pay Rise For Senators, Reps

23.02.2008

AS the controversy over the recent increase in the salaries and allowances of members of the country’s legislative chambers, continues, the Chairman, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, yesterday, condemned the increases by Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, describling it as a sad development.

Besides, the national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Chekwas Okorie, has called on the commission to also increase the salaries of the country’s workers.

Reacting to RMAFC’s action in a chat with Saturday Tribune, Balarabe Musa regretted that the RMAFC which got a lot of goodwill when it exposed the fact that the proceeds of the privatisation exercise carried out by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime could not be accounted for, may have squandered the goodwill by approving increases in the salaries and allowances of legislators.

His words: “It is unfortunate and discouraging because of the noble ways the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission have been approaching its work and protecting the interest of the public.

“They reported that the proceeds of the privatisation exercise had not been accounted for and this action was very encouraging. It is disappointing that a courageous institution is now undermining itself by toeing the class line by enriching the ruling class at the expense of the working class.”

He noted that this was not the first time that the legislators had increased their own salaries and allowances, recalling that it started during the Second Republic when the National Party of Nigeria (NPN)- dominated National Assembly passed a law increasing their wages without the then President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, doing anything to stop them.

Chief Chekwas Okorie, in his submission, said the RMAFC should also increase the salary of workers, since they also go to the same market with the legislators.