Thursday, March 28, 2024

Stop criticising lawmakers jumbo pay: Ahmed Lawan

The top legislator called for a debate on the relevance of the National Assembly rather than funding.

• November 20, 2020
President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmad Lawan
Ahmad Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has challenged those critical of the National Assembly to a debate on the relevance of the Legislature to Nigerians rather than criticising the funding of the Assembly.

Mr. Lawan gave the challenge in Abuja on Friday, while declaring open a two-day retreat for top management staff of the National Assembly and National Assembly Service Commission.

“What does the National Assembly mean to Nigerians what does the legislature mean to Nigerians,” he said. “We need to understand what the National Assembly or what the Legislature is to Nigerians.”

Mr. Lawan called for a proper debate on what the functions of the National Assembly and Indeed the Legislature should be rather than talking about the jumbo pay.

“Where is the jumbo pay? we should be looking for value for money,” he asked. “Without this National Assembly or the legislature across the country, what we have is no democracy anymore.

“So, the value of the National Assembly or the legislature to Nigeria is democracy.

“We always debate on jumbo pay instead of what should be the functions and hold us responsible for what we are able to do and for what we are not able to do,” Mr. Lawan advised.

The Senate President said that the National Assembly is allocated less than one percent of the National Budget yearly.

“So, where is the remaining 99 percent?

If you don’t like the set of members in the Ninth National Assembly, change all of us in 2023.

“Get better people but help support the system to function because that is your protection,” Lawan said.

NAN

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Ignatius Kaigama

Faith

Archbishop Kaigama advises priests on selflessness, dedication to duty

“The Lord offers us His love and redemption through the price He paid on the cross.’’

President Bola Tinubu

NationWide

Killers of soldiers on peace mission in Delta won’t go unpunished: Tinubu

They went as peacemakers and peacekeepers respectfully seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities.

Dele Alake

NationWide

Minister orders new NSCDC marshals to smoke out illegal miners

Mr Alake said there were plans for other security sister agencies to integrate their officers into the outfit structure.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima

Health

FG pledges training of teaching hospital personnel to enhance healthcare delivery

“I commend the CMD and his team for providing quality leadership to the hospital’’

Redesign naira notes

Economy

Naira gains six per cent at official market

The naira appreciated by N82.52 to reach N1,300 per dollar,