Thursday, 18 June 2015

Senate dismisses figures around wardrobe allowances

Augustine Osayande  
08:55 18/06/2015
Abuja - President of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has denied reports lawmakers will next week receive N8,64 billion collectively as so-called wardrobe allowances.

He stated this during a visit by Chairman of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission Engineer Elias Mbam and his team in Abuja.

Saraki said the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission was responsible for fixing of remunerations to public office holders.

He advised the media to be more accurate in their reporting.
He warned government agencies against not remitting Federal Government revenue to the Federation account to desist from such act as government will no longer condone such mismanagement act.

The Senate President said non-compliance by agencies of government has brought major setback in the processes of governance.

Saraki reiterated the support of the Senate in bringing back justice to any erring agency that indulged in diverting government revenue to illegal channels.

“Monetary revenue and allocation is a serious challenge to our economy.
Though, diversification of economy is very important but is not an overnight issue. We must block every leakage in government revenue.”

He said they made campaign promises to Nigerians and they must fulfill their pledges.
“It cannot be business as usual. We will do everything within our capacity to elevate the living standard of Nigerians,” Saraki said.

Chairman of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Elias Mbam, said the agency had always enjoyed cordial relationships with the National Assembly. He called for the continued working relationship with the view to enhance their effectiveness.

Mbam also condemned the recent media report that exaggerated the wardrobe allowances of Senators and members of the House of Representatives.

He said wardrobe allowance was 25 percent of the basic salary, which was about N506 600 per legislator per annum.

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