Rep. Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives, says the 50 per cent salary cut was not just going to be sacrificed, but the attitude that was needed to transform the country.

Mr Agbese said this in an interview with journalists on Friday in Abuja following doubts some Nigerians expressed about the 50 per cent cut in their salaries.

He said the 50 per cent cut in salary by members was not just rhetoric, adding that they were committed to their promise to the Nigerian people.

During the plenary, members of the House of Representatives raised a motion of urgent public importance, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu called for a 50 per cent cut in their salaries.

However, Mr Agbese said there was no need to doubt the intention of the House for the 50 per cent cut in salary, adding that “what we have agreed to do is out of patriotism, selflessness and love for the country.”

“When people have genuine intentions, there is no cause to ridicule the intention by passing unnecessary doubt as to the veracity of our 50 per cent cut in salary.

“When there is hunger in the land, it shows on people’s faces, and when interventions are made, it will also show on the faces of the people,” he said.

He pledged that the lawmakers would reduce the current hardship and hunger in the country.

“Hardships speak in a universal language; their language is the same across the country, and as a parliament, we are going to leave no stone unturned to address the hardship,” said Mr Agbese.

“We will ensure that we work day and night to ensure we go through this hardship and hunger for the last time,” the lawmaker said.

He said members would also give succour to young men and women in agriculture, empower people in business, and support those in school.

(NAN)