The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to assist the federal government with N648 million for six months by cutting down their salaries by 50 per cent to support food sufficiency and address the high cost of food in the country.
But the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and civil society organisations, CSOs, such as ActionAid, Yiaga Africa, in a swift reaction, said the problem was not with the salaries of members of the House of Representatives, but their allowances, suggesting the bogus allowances be slashed by half to make meaningful impact in their support efforts.
The lawmakers also begged Nigerians to exercise more patience with President Bola Tinubu’s administration in addressing the challenges and hardships faced by citizens.
The House further mandated its committees on appropriation, humanitarian affairs, finance and budget to ensure compliance.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion moved on the floor of the House by Ibrahim Isiaka (APC- Ogun State) at plenary in Abuja.
Moving the motion, Isiaka said though Nigerians had the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and protest to address their grievances, the House presented with a humble plea for reason, understanding, and unity in the face of adversity.
According to him, maintaining peace and engaging in constructive dialogue with the government is crucial for the resolution of issues facing the nation.
“This honourable House appeals to the proponents of the proposed nationwide protest in Nigeria to consider a different path, a path of patience, dialogue, and collaboration, prioritize peace and open channels for meaningful engagements with the government at all levels.
“All stakeholders should uphold the principles of democracy, respect human rights, and uphold the rule of law in their actions and engagements; we trust that through peaceful engagement and dialogue, we can collectively work towards building a better and brighter future for Nigeria,” he said.
He admitted further that it was undeniable Nigeria was facing significant challenges that had plagued her for far too long, adding that the issues of insecurity, unemployment, and poverty weighed heavily on the hearts of every Nigerian.
He said: “I am further aware that the challenges we face are not unique to Nigeria alone. These are issues that countries across the globe grapple with daily. In a world that is constantly changing and evolving, no nation is immune to the complexities of governance and development.
“The road to change is not easy, and the journey towards a brighter future is often fraught with obstacles. But we must not lose sight of the incremental steps that have been taken, the reforms that have been implemented, and the strides that have been made towards a more prosperous Nigeria.”
Contributing to the motion, deputy speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, who moved the motion for lawmakers to support the federal government with 50 per cent of their salaries for six months, said protest was no solution to solving the problem of hunger in the country.
He said: “Solution is not found in raising placard, Rome is not built in a day. Let us give support to all policies of government to better the lives of citizens.
“This time is calling for sacrifice. People here are willing to make sacrifices. Please bear with the government a little. Let’s make sacrifices with our salaries.”
On his part, Ahmed Jaha (APC- Borno), said it would take a reasonable period to correct what had been damaged for a reasonable period.
He said: “Remember, tough times do not last forever for tough men. And there is always a light at the end of every struggle. Mr Speaker, members, this government is doing what we have hoped.
”We are appealing to our young men to give the government the benefit of the doubt, bearing in mind the people’s oriented policies, programs that are laid down for this government to pursue, especially in the area of school and student loan.”
Problem not salary, but allowances – NLC
However, reacting to the gesture yesterday, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, said the problem was with humongous allowances of the lawmakers and not their salaries.
One of the leaders of NLC who pleaded anonymity, said: “The salary is not the problem but their allowances. Their salaries are just about 10 per cent of their allowances. We don’t have problems with their salaries. They should reduce their allowances by 50 per cent.
“Why are they talking about six months? They should reduce their allowances and allow the reduction to run till the economy improves. The executive should also do so, pending when the economy
improves.”
Reps salary cut not enough to address issues affecting Nigerians- CSOs
Also reacting yesterday, the Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, said: “It is a symbolic action, it shows they are feeling the nation but this is not what Nigerians are looking for.““Nigerians deserve more from the National Assembly, especially on how it is holding the executives to account for some of the economic policies they make.
“How to address this rising cost of commodities in the market, it’s about the kind of policy the government actually introduces. So, it’s beyond reducing their salaries by 50 per cent. While that is appreciated, I don’t know to what extent that would impact our overall GDP or how that will impact on the cost of commodities in the market because the prices of food items are skyrocketing on a daily basis, that’s what Nigerians want to see.
“They want to see the prices of foodstuff and fuel go down. These are the big issues that Nigerians are grappling with.”
Similarly, the Country Director, of ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, Andrew Mamedu, said: “Definitely, it is a good step, one of the things civil societies and citizens are requesting. However, it is just the tip of the iceberg, a drop in the ocean in terms of turning things around but this is about they identifying with the citizens, and this is one aspect.
”There are a couple of things, one, looking at their allowances, it is not just the salary, we are looking at the allowances, the issue of constituency projects. We sometimes shy away from, the issues of the constituency projects the House of Rep members benefit because they go about it the way their constituencies will benefit.
“But it is a good step, the executive has to look at their side; we need to look at the ministries, the Oronsaye Report, the number of advisers, ministers, the vehicles, the whole running of government, we need to be very deliberate in cutting down the cost of governance, and that is what Nigerians expect.”
