‘Many don’t understand our functions’ — Lawan defends N13.5m running cost for senators

by Chinedu Asadu



Ahmad Lawan, majority leader of the senate, says the N13.5 million running cost for senators is justified as a result of the nature of their works.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, the Yobe north senator said the money is seen as “jumpo pay” because many people do not understand the lawmakers’ functions.

Nigerian lawmakers are said to be among the highest paid among their colleagues in the world.

TheCable had reported how the 109 senators earned over N70 billion as running cost — apart from their basic salaries.

Lawan, however, said such funds are needed for the lawmakers to have a “conducive” environment to carry out their work.

“Let me say right from the onset that there is nothing like jumbo pay for lawmakers. As a senator, my take-home is N750,000. The gross is about N1 million but a senator pays a tax of N250,000 every month,” he said.

“But as a senator who has to work for the people, we have the funds that people call our own or allowances. These funds are for us to operate. Sometimes your oversight or other functions take you outside the country.

“I believe that what is paid to members of the national assembly and the senate, the N13 million per month is not given to the senator to put into his pocket and use to buy cars. It’s for that senator to perform his functions.

“Today as a senator, I have five aides. In fact in most cases if a senator is going to move a motion, he writes it himself. In the US, a senator may have maybe a long list of professors on every sector who may be a consultant or a staff.

“And that is why the quality of legislation will naturally be higher where such climate exists. We want to have high quality legislation, so we have to pay for that.”

Lawan also said rather than question the lawmakers’ earnings, Nigerians should be more concerned on their performance.

“I think what should matter to us is to continuously keep our eyes on the performances of members of the national assembly. Where they are not performing, criticise us and ask for value for money,” he added.

“When Nigerians pay that kind of money for a legislator, they should get the best quality of legislation. But I don’t think many people understand the functions of the members of the national assembly or the so called debate. We need to educate Nigerians ourselves on what we do. The money going to the national assembly is always a contentious issue.”

The lawmaker had on Saturday said the national assembly will not become President Muhammadu Buhari’s “rubber stamp” if he is elected senate president.

https://www.thecable.ng/many-dont-understand-our-functions-lawan-defends-n13-5m-running-cost-for-senators

Hmmmmm nah so. Nigeria is the biggest scam of all time

These are supposed Buhari's people that will help him reduce the cost of governance o

Yes we don’t understand your functions of pure wastage of scarce resources!!

Lol

Weytin una dey do apart from ye or ney?

Embezzle constituency allowance, buy luxury cars, build mansions, marry 19 years old (Ned) and dash the remaining one to slay mamas.

Naija will still remain a shithole in 100 years to come if our main problem (corrupt leaders) is not addressed.

Legislooters!

.

Legisloothieves

Zansu007:
Hmmmmm nah so. Nigeria is the biggest scam of all time

ok

Put them on minimum wage and See how this country will get fixed.
Unfortunately, he did not give valid reasons for the jumbo pay

Sleeping Functions

yea

Are you even half as efficient as American Senators? Because even they earn less but are 100 times richer and more influential than Nigeria.

Please which good face cream can I use

You said so many things put ended up saying nothing. Your jumbo pay is indefensible.

Legislooters are our biggest problem in this country!

okakahozi:
Please which good face cream can I use

Sperm.

Story story!
STORRRRY!!!

He ended up saying nothing. They compare Nigeria to America when it has to their benefits, but will neva compare Nigeria to America when corruption, economy, employment and other salient issues are being discussed.

I thought only saraki and his corrupt PDP senators are going home with that amount. I never knew people like saint lawan are still playing their part in exhausting our money

If we were Saudi or Dubai I won’t argue they are developed bt Nigeria with all what we are dealing with, borrowing to fund reckless and unaccountable senators, expensive government without fixing any basic problems we have like power, roads, unemployment, healthcare? I think they are all criminals who are out to destroy this country.

We need to review government spending. Senators are not there for the country bt their pockets ALONE. They are not accountable on their constituency projects.


Our problem isn’t just corruption bt accountability. We spend so much and get very little progress.

Once it comes to defending wastage, oyel money, our tax payers money, nothing like apc or pdp

He failed to highlight those "things" that he uses 13million for in a month as running cost. And you expect us to be cool with it?

Nigeria.... At times, I wish I have what it takes to start a revolution in this country!

If u read properly, u would see he couldnt mention the so called duties they undertake. Group of criminals. This is why i laugh when an ordinary, unemployed youth from a poor home fight so hard to defend these leaders.. These guys are criminals. He is comparing USA with Nigeria, does he know how much the USA govt generate for the country? Fat animals with no creative head.

I wish una the best in Nigeria since u all have continued to defend these leaders and attack the wrong people.


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