Across the length and breadth of Nigeria, here are the biggest stories around Nigeria’s legislators and the institution of parliament you mustn’t miss this Tuesday:
“Severance of Senate President, Lawan is about N7.5 million” – RMAFC
Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mohammed Bello Shehu, says the current public outcry over the bogus remuneration packages of political officeholders is largely exaggerated.
Shehu, who disclosed this in an interview with THISDAY, noted that the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, earns about N9 million as his basic salary annually and N7.5 million as his severance. “So, Nigerians have to have some understanding of these issues. There is a difference between what they earn and what the National Assembly Commission provides for the upkeep of their entire structure, from their constituency to their national office.
If you look at places like the US and Malaysia, and some of these other countries, those structures are built-in as an institution but Nigeria did not go that route; Nigeria monetises that and gives that package to either a Senator or a member of the House of Representatives,” he said.
READ ALSO: Shehu: No Public Officer Should Earn Above the President
Labour Ministry laments non-enactment of Occupational Safety Bill by NASS
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has lamented the absence of an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law to protect employees in all sectors of the economy.
Director of Factories, Federation/Occupational Safety and Health at the Ministry, Adogu Lauretta, who disclosed this at a Workshop in Abuja, expressed concern that the National Assembly was yet to enact the Nigeria Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill, especially as existing legal frameworks were out-dated in their provisions.
“This bill is expected to put in place a legal framework that will develop and promote occupational safety standards. It also has measures to ensure that employers provide preventive mechanisms and procedures that will limit accidents and injuries at work places.”
2023: ‘Anti-Democratic Forces’ bent on sabotaging elections – Falana
Prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has raised the alarm that some “anti-democratic forces” were bent on truncating the 2023 elections, urging security agencies to apprehend them.
In a statement released on Monday, the Human Rights lawyer stated that elections might not take place in over 40 local government areas across the country under the control of various armed gangs, including bandits, terrorists, and known and unknown gunmen.
“In spite of the fact that the facilities are said to be well guarded, the criminal elements involved in the nefarious activities generally operate without any challenge from security forces. If the dangerous trend continues on a larger scale, INEC will not be in a position to conduct elections in the affected areas. It is, therefore, curious to note that the few suspected arsonists have not been charged before any court,” the statement read.
Ishaku signs last budget as Governor into law, State appropriates N173bn for 2023
Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has signed the 2023 Appropriation Bill of N173,234,537,459:40 into law, passed on December 14, by the State House of Assembly with an increase of N500 million.
At the signing of the appropriation law on Monday, Ishaku, serving his final term as governor, promised to ensure the completion of ongoing projects in the state and provide a smooth take-off for his successsor.
According to the Speaker of the State Assembly, Joseph Albasu Kunini, “Signing of the 2023 budget today for the development of Taraba would be the last of your administration as governor. I, on behalf of the Assembly, commend you for the height of development you have taken Taraba to.
I also want to appeal that the pending 7 years unpaid allowances of staff of Taraba state House of Assembly be treated with priority. The staff have demonstrated the spirit of diligence service for the development of Taraba and I want to pronounce that they deserve to be treated with a human face to enable them to feel the impact of civil service,” Kunini said.
Saraki’s courageous leadership made 8th NASS most productive – Rep. Dogara
Speaker of the Eighth House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has described former President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, as a courageous politician who demonstrated great leadership, resulting in the unprecedented performance of the 8th Assembly.
The Bauchi lawmaker showered these encomiums on Saraki in a 60th birthday anniversary message issued by his media office on Monday, while also commending his drive for partnership in steering the affairs of the 8th Assembly.
“In the four years you held sway as President of the Senate, you demonstrated great courage and patriotism in steering the affairs of the Senate. Your partnership was a legendary epic which by popular consensus made the 8th NASS the most productive in Nigeria’s history,” Dogara stated.
READ ALSO: Senator Moro leads Benue delegation in Bills Chart | National Assembly Scorecard
Ojochenemi Onje-James
Ojochenemi Onje-James is a research writer and journalist with years of proven footprints in areas of crime and politics. She has a M.Sc in International Relations and Strategic Studies as well as a B.Sc in Mass Communication.
