The reduction of the National Assembly’s budget from N150bn to N120bn has resulted in unpaid salaries and allowances of members of the House of Representatives.

Punch reports that the 360-member legislature has not paid the June and July salaries of lawmakers.

The lawmakers were to each receive about N18m in June at the commencement of the 8th Assembly.

The sum of N18 million was meant to take care of their accommodation, furniture and other provisions worked out in line with percentages in their template.

But due to insufficient funds, they were paid only N10m as opposed to the N18m due to them, and also, it was learnt that the utility vehicles meant for the lawmakers, cannot be procured this year.

Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, reportedly held a lengthy meeting with the lawmakers on Tuesday, to talk about the financial situation of the House.

The meeting, which was held late at night, took place in one of the halls at the New Wing of the House.

A senior lawmaker revealed to Punch that: “Well, members were beginning to ask questions about payments; their due salaries and other entitlements. The speaker came to open the books and to complain that he too is handicapped because there is no money.”

 

“Car loan in particular was deferred; so for now, there is nothing like car or loans for that purpose.”

 

Another member of the House, who was present at the meeting was quoted to have said: “It was to present the situation as it is; the accounts are low. Knowing the way this place operates, soon, someone could start a rumour that the leadership is sitting on the money of members.

“The reality is that there is no money; the cut in the budget is beginning to bite everybody. The speaker went to the meeting with the template for the entitlements of every member for frank discussions. Everyone now knows what they are supposed to get and if they are not able to get it, they know why.”