Reps explain delay in 50% salary deduction for hardship relief

The House of Representatives has offered insight as to why 50 percent of their salaries have not been deducted as part of their contribution towards cushioning the hardship being faced by Nigerians.

Spokesperson of the House, Mr. Akin Rotimi Jr., blamed bureaucratic bottlenecks in the National Assembly for the delay in implementing the House decision agreed upon penultimate week.

Rotimi Jr. assured Nigerians that the House of Representatives remains committed to the resolution passed on July 18, which mandates a 50 percent reduction in their salaries for the period from July to December 2024.

“We acknowledge and regret that this resolution was not implemented by the bureaucracy as intended for the month of July. This delay was due to necessary administrative procedures and coordination with financial institutions,” he said.

“Instructions for adjusting salaries have now been issued and will be enforced moving forward to ensure our pledge is fully realised. We appreciate your patience and assure you of our steadfast adherence to this pledge.”

Recall that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, indicated that each member earns approximately N600,000 monthly, resulting in a total contribution of about N108 million per month from the 360 members.

The Speaker hinted that the funds will be directed to the government for the purchase of food items to distribute to Nigerians.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka (APC, Ogun), aimed at averting nationwide protests over the biting poverty and high cost of living faced by Nigerians.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Benjamin Kalu, while lending his voice on the issue, came up with the idea of the entire members of the House sacrificing 50 percent of their salaries, which was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers.