The House of Representatives has addressed the delay in fulfilling its promise to donate half of its members’ salaries. Spokesperson Rep. Akin Rotimi clarified the situation, debunking rumors about inflated salaries and explaining the administrative hold-up.

Clarification on Salary Discrepancies

Rotimi stated that the House has been misrepresented by some media outlets regarding the actual salaries of its members. Contrary to claims, he confirmed that the monthly salary for House members is N600,000, not the reported N900,000. “The actual monthly salary for members is N600,000 after deductions for advances such as housing, which are paid at the commencement of the tenure,” Rotimi emphasized.

He explained that a member who displayed his salary on a TV program was an exceptional case. Moreover, this member assumed office through a court decision several months after the regular onboarding process was completed. This unique situation caused some confusion about the actual salaries received by other members.

Rotimi reiterated the House’s commitment to its July 18 resolution, which mandated a 50% salary reduction for six months. In addition, he acknowledged the delay in implementing this resolution, attributing it to necessary administrative procedures and coordination with financial institutions. “We acknowledge and regret that this resolution was not implemented by the bureaucracy as intended for the month of July,” he admitted.

However, the delay stemmed from the formal instruction to the bureaucracy, which was only issued on July 23. This meant that the resolution’s implementation could not take place immediately. Furthermore, Rotimi assured that instructions for adjusting salaries have since been issued and will be enforced moving forward to ensure the pledge is fully realized.

Transparency and Trust

Rotimi emphasized that there is no need for an investigation, as some media reports suggested. “There is nothing to investigate, as the House’s position on this matter had been provided to some journalists who had reached out for clarification,” he stated. However, he called for patience from the public and assured that the House remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency and fulfilling its promises.

The spokesperson expressed regret over any confusion caused and reiterated the House’s dedication to earning the trust and confidence of all Nigerians. Moreover, he assured that the House will continue to work diligently to fulfill its promises and maintain transparency in all its actions.

The House of Representatives’ promise to donate half of its members’ salaries is seen as a significant gesture towards addressing the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians. Furthermore, the commitment to transparency and accountability is expected to strengthen public trust in the House’s actions.

Source: Vanguard