Despite public outcry against the unscrupulous spending of public funds, senators have reviewed their allowances from N45 million enjoyed since 2007 to N60 million which takes retroactive effect from January 2010.
Agitation for the increment and the approval of the leadership of the senate began in series of closed door sessions where the lawmakers pressed for thirty percent increment in their quarterly allowances.
It was gathered that all the Senators have already received the N45 million leaving the balance of N15 million for the third quarter before embarking on the annual recess. They had earlier gotten the sum of N30 million arrears for the first and second quarters in line with the agreement reached by the leadership of the senate.
Sources say that the senators agitations were premised on the need to prepare for the forthcoming election and reduce their dependence on some of the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) which they oversight.
Both the Senate and House of Representatives are to embark on two months long vacation tomorrow. Findings revealed that the increment was built into various allowances enjoyed by the lawmakers in order to avoid undue agitation from the public.
Going by the approval of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), each of the 109 Senators is expected to get N2, 484,242.50 as annual basic salary as well as other allowances.
The approved allowances include 200 percent of the annual basic salary as accommodation allowance; 75 percent as vehicle maintenance; 30 percent for entertainment and 30 percent for utility allowance.
Twenty-five percent of basic salary for personal assistant; 25 percent for wardrobe; 75 percent for domestic staff; 10 percent for recess; 15 percent for newspapers and 250 percent for constituency allowance.
Other occasional allowances and perks consist of furniture allowances which is 300% of annual basic salary but payable only once in tenure at the commencement of duty; severance gratuity after their tenure in office at 300% while motor vehicle loan was pegged at 400% and repayable in six years.
By KEHINDE AKINTOLA
Agitation for the increment and the approval of the leadership of the senate began in series of closed door sessions where the lawmakers pressed for thirty percent increment in their quarterly allowances.
It was gathered that all the Senators have already received the N45 million leaving the balance of N15 million for the third quarter before embarking on the annual recess. They had earlier gotten the sum of N30 million arrears for the first and second quarters in line with the agreement reached by the leadership of the senate.
Both the Senate and House of Representatives are to embark on two months long vacation tomorrow. Findings revealed that the increment was built into various allowances enjoyed by the lawmakers in order to avoid undue agitation from the public.
Going by the approval of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), each of the 109 Senators is expected to get N2, 484,242.50 as annual basic salary as well as other allowances.
The approved allowances include 200 percent of the annual basic salary as accommodation allowance; 75 percent as vehicle maintenance; 30 percent for entertainment and 30 percent for utility allowance.
Twenty-five percent of basic salary for personal assistant; 25 percent for wardrobe; 75 percent for domestic staff; 10 percent for recess; 15 percent for newspapers and 250 percent for constituency allowance.
Other occasional allowances and perks consist of furniture allowances which is 300% of annual basic salary but payable only once in tenure at the commencement of duty; severance gratuity after their tenure in office at 300% while motor vehicle loan was pegged at 400% and repayable in six years.
By KEHINDE AKINTOLA
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