Nigeria Spends N1.4bn Annually on Senators – RMAFC

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has revealed that each of the country’s 109 senators collects a total of N1.06 million as salary and allowances per month, culminating in N12.72 million annually, to make a total expenditure of N1.4bn per year on senatos. This came amidst controversies over what the lawmakers earn in the country.

A statement signed by RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu on Tuesday revealed that each senator receives N1,063,860 monthly.

In the breakdown: Basic salary: N168,866.70; motor vehicle fueling and maintenance allowance: N126,650.00; and N42,216.66 for a personal assistant.

Other allowances summed up to  N126,650.00 for domestic staff, N50,660.00 for entertainment, N50,660.00 for utilities, N25,330.00 for newspapers and periodicals, N42,216.66 for wardrobe, N8,443.33 for house maintenance, and N422,166.66 as constituency allowance.

The statement noted that some of the allowances are regular, paid with the basic salary, while others are irregular, paid on need basis.  Examples of such allowances, paid once in every tenure, are furniture allowance, N6,079,200.00, and severance gratuity of N6,079,200.00. Vehicle allowance is optional, amounting to N8,105,600.00, which must be paid up before leaving office.

The revelation is coming after a former Senator, Shehu Sani said each senator collects a monthly running cost of N13.5 million apart from the N750,000 monthly payment approved by the commission.

Responding, the Chairman of RMAFC explained that the commission is constitutionally unable to implement the remuneration package for lawmakers and ensure compliance, as the National Assembly is now bridging that gap.

Shehu added that except for the President, Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, all public and legislative officers no longer receive such a package as housing benefits.

The statement added that the detailed remuneration package for political, public, and judicial officeholders is on the website of the RMAFC.

Recall that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, called out the legislature for fixing their remunerations.

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