Nigerian Hails Yar’Adua Over Slash In Emoluments

As reactions continue to trail the slicing of emoluments of key political office-holders in the country announced last week by the presidency, a non-governmental organisation has described the development as the beginning of good things in Nigeria.

Speaking to newsmen, weekend, in Port Harcourt, Facilitator of the Red Rose Oasis of Love Foundation, Mrs Sera Dikibo lauded President Yar’Adua over the decision, saying it was a courageous move that could take the country to the next level.

She described the decision as a mark of sincerity to the yearings of the people and called for state governments to tow the president’s line.

In her reaction, Blessing Agama, a civil servant said the decision was a step in the right direction.

She noted that the yawning disparity between the emoluments of political office holders and those of civil servants and university lecturers left much to be desire.

According to her, it is this great difference in earning power between political office holders and lecturers and their counterparts that often led to strikes by various unions in the country.

She however, suggested that the money recovered from the downward review of politicians pay be used to beef up the poor wage package of civil servants, saying that by so doing, government would be re-inventing the middle class.

A politician, who declared anonymity however, praised the revenue mobilization allocation and fiscal commission for its bold move in recommending forfeiture of 300 per cent severance package for the president and vice president, in view of the fact that would be on pension for life.