Senate President, Bukola Saraki Reads Riot Act On Unremitted Funds

Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, Engr. Elias Mbam said yesterday that report on the N8.64 billion wardrobe allowance for Senators and Members of the House of Representatives as being over exaggerated.

This came as the just as the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki read out riot act to government agencies that have not been remitting Federal Government revenue to the Federation account, warning that the government will no longer condone such mismanagement act.

Speaking yesterday when he paid a courtesy visit on the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, the Earlier, the RMAFC Chairman disclosed that wardrobe allowance as spelt out by the Commission has been put at 25 percent of the basic salary which when broken down amounts to N506, 600 per legislator, per annum.

Mbam who noted that the agency has been enjoying cordial relationship with the National Assembly, however called for continued working partnership with a view to enhancing their effectiveness, just as he advised that the agency operates a functional website where information concerning the day-to-day activities of the agency.

Meanwhile, President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki while responding to the RMAFC boss, read out riot act to government agencies that have not been remitting Federal Government revenue to the Federation account, warning that the government will no longer condone such mismanagement act.

Senator Saraki who noted that non-compliance by agencies of government has brought major setback in the processes of governance, however reiterated the support of the Senate in bringing back justice to any erring agency that indulges in diverting government revenue to illegal channel adding, “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.

“We made campaign promises to Nigerians and we must fulfill all our pledges. It cannot be business as usual. We will do everything within our capacity to elevate the living standard of Nigerians.”

President of the Senate who cleared air on the N8.64billion bogus wardrobe allowance to lawmakers as reported in the media, stressed that the Commission was charged with fixing of remunerations to public office holders and advised the media to be more accurate in their reporting.

In a related development, the Senator representing Kogi West, Senator Dino Melaye has condemned the proposed N8.64 billion wardrobe allowance to be received by lawmakers in the 8th National Assembly, just as he urged the lawmakers to be prepared to accept a pay cut due to the situation in the country.

Senator Melaye said, “I stand solidly on what I earlier said about pay cut. There must be a pay cut to Senators and House of Representative members.

“You can’t be talking about change and this kind of money in this country now when people are hungry. We must be sacrificious. We must show Nigerians that we must sacrifice by allowing a pay cut.”