Executive salary deductions: Nigerians call for allowance slash

Executive salary deductions: Nigerians call for allowance slash
Ifeoma Tony-Orji, Lagos.

As the implementation of the 25 per cent deductions from basic salary of the executives begins, some Nigerians have called for more cuts in allowances.

In line with the government’s plans to cut cost of governance, the senate and the House of Representatives also cut overall spending, wages and salary by 40 per cent and 64 per cent respectively.

These deductions and adjustments are expected to be implemented by the end of January as well as reflect in the 2012 budget.

Nigeria’s Executives and the National Assembly have taken the move to put the country’s economy on a good footing, as it has been observed that the country runs an expensive government.

Call for slashes

Some Nigerians in Lagos State told our correspondent, Ifeoma Orji that the deductions are welcomed since they are aimed at cultivating solid economic and human growth, but called for a slash in the allowance of the Executives.

As a heterogeneous nation, Nigeria has about 469 National Assembly members from different parts of the country, with about forty two ministers, thirty six governors and about seven hundred and seventy four local government chairmen.

The issue of fuel subsidy removal left the masses questioning why they should sacrifice alone.

To show readiness to reduce costs of governance, the Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, made public the 25 per cent salary deductions of executives and cut in overseas trips and the number of delegates that embark on such trips.

An economic Analyst, Mende Asuquo, also said that Nigeria should tackle financial corruption first since huge sums of money are embezzled by those in public offices.
He therefore urged the National Assembly to adjust their take home pay to align with the wages of public servants.

Williams/Cokey