‘We Do Not Allocate Salaries To Ourselves,’ Senate replies Obasanjo
The Nigerian Senate has denied allocating salaries and enjoying special financial benefits from the Office of the President in response to a statement made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday.
The refutal was contained in a statement released by a spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), on Sunday in Abuja.
Adaramodu pointed out that the lawmakers only receives the salary the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission allocates.
He swore transparency in the allocation of salaries to the Senate, insisting that it followed the tenets of the constitution to the latter.
While assuring the public of the Senate’s credibility, Adaramodu stated that there was never a time the Senate enjoyed benefits from the Presidency.
He challenged anybody making the ‘false claims’ to back it up with evidence.
“The Nigerian Senate is petrified by the tattling story of determining its own salaries and receiving a special fiscal package from the Presidency,” he said.
“This sordid and telltale assertion was amplified during a visit of a group of House of Representatives members to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“To straighten the records, the Senate receives only the salary allocated constitutionally by the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission.
“We challenge anyone who is privileged, either in qualified or absolute position to bring forth any contrary fact. The Senators or the National Assembly do not and cannot fix their salaries.
According to him, “the Executive arm of government, through its various ministries and agencies, is responsible for awarding contracts for constituency projects. The funds allocated for these projects vary depending on the number of constituencies in each state, and the intention is to ensure that every region of Nigeria benefits from federal resources.”
The current claims by the House of Representatives come at a time when news surfaced of the Senate’s salaries set to be slashed in light of the economic upheaval Nigeria presently faces.
