Saraki to Meet Civil Societies on Lawmakers’ Salary

By Dipo Olowookere

Members of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have been invited to a roundtable by the Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, to discuss the controversies salaries of lawmakers in the country.

It has been alleged that a Nigerian Senator earns about N29 million as salary as well as over N3 billion per annum.

A statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by Special Adviser to the Senate President on New Media, Mr Bamikole Omishore, disclosed that the civil organisations, during the meeting, would be given more details on the earnings of senators in the country.

“The attention of the office of the President of the Senate has been drawn to demand for more details regarding the earnings of senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Having released the breakdown of the National Assembly budget, the most comprehensive in the history of Nigerian Senate, it seems the release of pay slips is yet to clarify earnings of Nigerian senators.

“Senate President has agreed to a roundtable with SERAP and other CSOs to enlighten them and answer genuine questions regarding the matter.

“I will make contact with SERAP and other CSOs for a date convenient for all parties in the next few days,” the statement by Mr Omishore disclosed on Sunday.

Recall that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had written Mr Saraki, urging him to urgently explain to Nigerians, “If it is true that a Senator gets N29 million in monthly pay, and over N3 billion a year.”