Confab: Absent delegates to lose allowance, as over 50% stay away
By Suleiman Bello
National Conference has unanimously agreed not to pay any delegate who fails to show up at plenary thenceforth. It was agreed that the only exception would be on health ground.
Deputy Chairman of the National Conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, who made this known to the delegates, complained that more than half of the conference delegates are not on seat during plenary, adding that the development is source of concern to the Federal Government.
The former Minister of External Affairs said as from Monday next week, any delegate who fails to appear at the plenary session will definitely lose his or her sitting allowance.
This verdict on absentees was welcomed by all delegates present at the plenary session on Thursday.
According to Akinyemi: “If you look at the seats, more than half of the conference delegates did not show for debates.
“There are rules with which government regulates sitting allowance.
“We should consider no payment of allowance to any delegate that fails to come to plenary.
“We are all adults.
“We don’t want to treat ourselves like school children.
“From Monday, any delegate that does not show up will not be paid sitting allowance unless for medical reason.” He ruled.