Pay-Cut: CNPP Backs Jonathan …As Works Minister Assures On Three New Refineries

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) on yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan on the announced slash in the salaries of his aides and political office holders.

The CNPP, however, said that the slash might not be enough to cushion the effects of the removal of petrol subsidy on Nigerians.

President Goodluck Jonathan, in a nationwide broadcast last Saturday, announced a slash in the salaries of his aides by 25 per cent.

“The basic salaries of all political office holders in the executive arm of government would be reduced by 25 per cent,” Jonathan said, adding that there would also be no  unnecessary foreign trips for public officials.

The South-West secretary of CNPP, Mr Austin Nnorom, told newsmen in Lagos that the main problem now is the hardship inflicted by the subsidy removal on Nigerians.

“We will expect the Presidency to come up with clear-cut modalities to check corruption, which has worse effects on the economy,” he said.

He appealed to the President to reconsider the Federal Government’s stand on the subsidy.

“Subsidy removal is not a bad idea but the timing is what we fault. We urge the President to rescind the decision, pending when modalities like full capacity working refineries are put in place,” he said.

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi in a handshake with the chairman, Nigeria Legion, Rivers State, Col. Philemon Chinda Omunakwe, on arrival for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Service in Port Harcourt, yesterday.