As provided in the bill, sources of funding for the programme shall include one percent of surcharge of all salaries and allowances of all elected members of the National Assembly.
The Senate has passed, for second reading, a Bill for an Act to Establish a Parliamentary Welfare Programme for former legislators.
The Bill, which was passed on Wednesday, seeks to promote and recover former legislators and cater for their welfare.
Sponsor of the bill, Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah (PDP, Anambra North), said the piece of legislation would cater for the welfare of former legislators, particularly the elderly who have made significant contributions to the development of the country.
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“The bill will promote and recover legislators who have contributed to the development of the society, and we need to cater for the welfare of the National Assembly legislators by implementing measures for their stabilisation.
The need to cater for the welfare of former legislators informed this bill, which should be seen as part of the required legislative intervention needed to cater for the welfare of former legislators, who, over the years, have put in their best to the development of our dear country.
“Sources of funding for the programme shall include: 1% of surcharge of all salaries and allowances of all elected members of the National Assembly. The second should be voluntary donation from members of the National Assembly, and the third should be all fees and charges of services rendered and publication made by the programme. The fourth will be from other sources,” she added.
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While citing the case of the late former Senate President Joseph Wayas, whose body was kept in the morgue for 14 months as a result of poverty, the lawmaker noted that the bill aims to resolve cases like this in future.
Presiding over the debate, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan put the bill to a voice vote, and it passed second reading.
The Bill was consequently referred to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service for additional legislative input and report back in one week.
