Efforts To Reduce Salaries And Allowances Of NASS Members Hits Brick Wall

Efforts to reduce the salaries and allowances of members of the National Assembly (NASS) met a brick wall on Wednesday, as lawmakers failed to agree on a proposal to cut their salaries and allowances.

 The Senate Adhoc Committee had presented a report which would review the salaries and allowances of lawmakers last week Tuesday, August 4. After meeting for nearly two hours behind closed doors, the lawmakers decided to step down the debate on the report for further legislative input.

 However, addressing journalists after plenary, the Chairman Senate Adhoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Sen Dino Melaye said that the Senate in its wisdom decided to stand down further considerations on the report of the Adhoc Committee on the review of the finances of the Senate pending full consultations with all stake holders.

 The National Assembly budget for 2015 is pegged at about N150 billion.

 This amount is meant to cater for the 469-member National Assembly consisting of 109 senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives, legislative aides, the National Assembly Commission and the Legislative Institute.(Channels TV)