Rep go against campaign to slash lawmakers’ salaries

Firstclass newsline learnt that a member of the House of
Representatives, Chief Joe Edionwele, on Monday, protested against the
debate for pay cut for legislators, describing the proponents of the
crusade as ignorant.
Edionwele, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party representing Esan
West, Esan Central and Igueben federal constituency of Edo State, said
some lecturers, bankers and oil workers were earning more than federal
lawmakers.
While speaking to journalists in Abuja, the lawmakers said, "I think
people are speaking out of ignorance. Even before now, I was one of
those who believed the same thing. The records will be made public. We
will ensure that the National Assembly does that, Nigerians need to
know. The salaries we earn are not in any way close to what people
speculate. People in the oil and gas sectors, banking and even
lecturers earn more than us and the President.
"By the time we make it public, everybody will have peace. It will
give you peace. One of my friends told me that the salary and
allowances I will earn will be N40m. I told him if I get that for 10
months, I will resign. I can tell you that by the time it is made
public, people will sympathise with us. Legislators should earn well
so that they will not be corrupt during their oversight functions.
"The problem of this country is corruption. When people talk about pay
cut, I laugh. How much are we going to get back from the pay cut? The
corruption in this country is endemic. Look at the corruption in the
oil sector; if we are able to sanitise that sector for instance, our
problem will reduce. If we can know what we generate from different
agencies, then we can have enough money to finance projects. Look at
the governors and their security votes. Their votes are over bloated.
Look at the number of cars governors use.
"You heard when Buhari rejected 253 DSS operatives. What are you doing
with that number? There are so many things to cut down on. I am also
glad that Mr. President said in spite of what the law says, he is
going to be concerned about what happens at the local government
level. The security vote of a council chairman for instance is N2m.
What is a local government chairman doing with such money? Then a
governor gets over N200m. Why should somebody then talk about a salary
that is less than N1m?"
He said President Muhammadu Buhari would have no need for the 15
special assistants approved for him by the Senate.
He said the figure was unreasonable.
"Mr. President, for instance, just got an approval for 15 special
advisers. What are they advising? We really do not need all that. Mr.
President has about three bullet-proofs Mercedes Benz. Does he really
need them? We must downsize in every sector. For instance, we should
do away with the entertainment allowance. State Houses of Assembly
enjoy it," he stated.
Firstclassnewsline.net