Scandalous Jumbo Pay

The Economist of London in its recent edition published the salaries of lawmakers in some countries across the globe with Nigeria and Australia topping the chart. Although the Governor of Central bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Samusi had in the past made a startling revelation about the jumbo pay being received by the Nigerian lawmakers, he did not go the extra mile to furnish the Nigerian public with the figures.

According to the Economist’s report a Nigerian lawmaker receives an annual salary of $189,000 (N30 million) while his counterpart in Germany earns $119,500; France ($85,900); Pakistan  ($3,500); Saudi Arabia ($64,000), Malaysia ($25,300); Sri Lanka ($5,000); Spain ($43,900); Ireland (120,400); Canada (154.000); New Zealand ($112,500) Singapore ($154,000); Sweden ($99,300) and Australia ($201,200).

Others are Kenya ($74,500); Ghana ($46,500); Indonesia ($65,800); South Africa ($104,000); Brazil ($157,600), Thailand ($43,800); India ($11,200); Italy ($182,000); Bangladesh ($4,000); Israel ($114,800); Hong Kong ($130,700); United States ($174,000); Japan ($149,000) and Norway ($138,000)

The report that analysed the data obtained from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) shows that the federal Iawmakers earn more than their counterparts in 27 countries that were mentioned earlier. It is pertinent to note that each lawmaker receives $189,000 annually as basic salary which is 116 times the country’s gross Domestic Product (GDP) per person per annum while that of a British parliamentarian is 2.7 times the country’s GDP per person. Again, this excludes the numerous and fabulous allowances that are paid to the Nigerian lawmakers at the expense of 70 per cent of their compatriots who are living below poverty line as a result of the poor state of the nation’s economy.

A situation where a whopping N150 billion is allocated to the National Assembly in the 2013 budget is thought provoking, given the fact that Nigeria imports virtually everything from other countries of the world for local consumption.

Our leaders are utterly insensitive to the plight of the Nigerian masses who are lauguishing in protracted penury. This explains why the recurrent expenditure is always higher than the capital expenditure in our budgetary provisions.

No meaningful development can take place in a country that is bereft of basic infrastructure occasioned by selfish and visionless leadership. More worrisome is the fact that it takes tears and blood for the so-called leaders to take positive steps that will engender growth and well-being of the generality of the people. The Nigerian masses must embark on protest for government to fund the education sector; provide electricity, pipe-borne water and petroleum products; fix deplorable roads and implement the N18,000 minimum wage for workers.

Of course, the lawmakers are not alone in the mindless exploitation of hapless Nigerians. All other public officers in the mainstream of governance are equally involved in this financial recklessness.

It is for this reason that a growing number of Nigerians are taking to politics. Because of the juicy nature of political offices in Nigeria politics has become a do-or-die affair as aspirants will do everything humanly possible to win elections. The consequence therefore, is poor leadership and economic woes that have become the lot of the nation that is endowed with abundant natural resources.

Speaking at a workshop organised by the National Union of Textiles, Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) in llorin, the Kwara State capital recently, the Vice President of Nigeria Labour congress (NLC), Comrade Issa Aremu  urged the lawmakers to demonstrate stemanship by reviewing downwards their annual emoluments.

“Their salary is not even linked to their productivity. If they refuse, we must call them to order. Their constituents should call them to order. They can’t be holier than the Pope.

“If they refuse to reduce their salary, we must take the battle to their constituencies. Anything short of this will make us to take to the streets and NLC is ready to lead the way.

“How can a legislator earn about $189,000 (N30 million) as basis salary per annum ? Our lawmakers are the second highest paid in the world next to those in Australia”.

He said it would take a worker earning the monthly minimum wage of N18,000 about 140 years to save N30.24 million “If the worker saves his whole salary.

He said it would take an average worker 667 years to be at the same level with a lawmaker, whose total emolument per annum was put at N46 million.

Aremu who is also the General Secretary of NUTGTWN said strike could be the most potent weapon to be employed if the workers failed to heed their advice.

“This is a persuasive approach now, but if they refuse, we will march to their constituencies, and if they still pauperise Nigerians, we will take to the streets to show them the power of the electorate over the elected. How can a Nigerian legislator be earning more than the American President?”

The NLC Leader described as paradoxical, the condition of Nigerians whose country is ranked 12

th in the hierarchy of oil-producing nations but could seldom afford daily meals.

Some political observers have argued that the Federal lawmakers lack the moral authority to exercise their constitutional prerogative of oversight in view of the dubious income they forcefully appropriated to themselves.

They therefore, drew the attention of the lawmakers to paragraph 32 (d) of the third schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended. That section provides that the Revenue mobilisation and fiscal Commission shall have power to “determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, legislators and the holders of offices mentioned in section 84 and 124 of this constitution”.

It is clear that the federal lawmakers did not comply with the constitutional provisions in relation to their remuneration.

To avert public opprobrium the lawmakers should heed to NLC’s advice by reviewing downwards their basic salary. They should also ensure that other political office holders do not contravene the law as well. Our leaders should lead by example and not by precept. Please be guided.