RMAFC Addresses Public Concerns Over National Assembly Members’ Salaries and Allowances
By Patience Ikpeme
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has responded to the growing controversy surrounding the salaries and allowances of Members of the National Assembly, a matter that has been at the forefront of national discourse.
The issue has attracted attention from elder statesmen, public affairs commentators, civil society groups, and the media.
The need for clarification arose following a recent statement by Senator Shehu Sani, who publicly disclosed that each Senator receives a monthly running cost of N13.5 million, in addition to the N750,000.00 prescribed by the RMAFC. The revelation sparked widespread debate and raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the remuneration process for public officials.
In response, the RMAFC stressed that it does not possess constitutional powers to enforce compliance with the proper implementation of the remuneration package. However, the commission noted that this gap in enforcement is being addressed by the National Assembly to ensure adherence to established guidelines.
A detailed breakdown of the monthly entitlements of Senators provided by the RMAFC reveals that each Senator is entitled to a salary and allowances totaling N1,063,860:00. This sum includes a Basic Salary of N168,866.70, Motor Vehicle Fuelling and Maintenance Allowance of N126,650.00, Personal Assistant allowance of N42,216.66, Domestic Staff allowance of N126,650.00, Entertainment allowance of N50,660.00, Utilities allowance of N50,660.00, Newspapers/Periodicals allowance of N25,330.00, Wardrobe allowance of N42,216.66, House Maintenance allowance of N8,443.33, and a Constituency Allowance of N422,166.66.
The commission clarified that some of these allowances are paid regularly along with the basic salary, while others are categorized as non-regular and are disbursed as needed. For instance, Furniture Allowance and Severance Gratuity, both amounting to N6,079,200.00 each, are paid once per tenure. Vehicle Allowance, amounting to N8,105,600.00, is an optional loan that must be repaid by the beneficiary before leaving office.
Additionally, the RMAFC noted a significant change in the provision of housing for public and legislative officers. Unlike in the past, housing is no longer provided for most political office holders, with the exception of a few high-ranking officials such as the President, Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Addressing the broader public concerns, the RMAFC urged that any allegations regarding allowances not provided for in the Remuneration (Amendment) Act, 2008, should be substantiated by those making such claims. The commission emphasized the importance of accurate information, warning against the spread of misinformation that could mislead citizens and the international community.
The RMAFC encouraged Nigerians and other interested parties to access the full details of the current remuneration package for Political, Public, and Judicial Office holders in Nigeria. These details are available on the commission’s official website, www.rmafc.gov.ng, ensuring transparency and accessibility to the public.
