President Umaru Yar’Adua has proposed a pay slash for political office holders nationwide due to the global financial meltdown, local media reported on Wednesday.
Addressing his ministers, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Yar’Adua said the current remunerations are untenable and unjustifiable in the present circumstances.
The president said he would write to the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to consider his proposal. The expected percentage cut is not made public as the president wants all the rough edges tidied up first.
Olusegun Adeniyi, special adviser on Communications for the president, said while briefing reporters after the meeting that the president expected the political officials to put the nation’s interest first at all times and focus on providing real and effective leadership in their areas of assignment for the attainment of the administration’s goals.
According to him, Yar’Adua said his proposal was in furtherance of efforts to come to terms with the realities of the ongoing global recession and ensure that national development is not too adversely affected by it.
The president also urged public office holders to be prepared to make personal sacrifices for the greater good of the nation.
Yar’Adua said despite the fresh challenges to national development including the economic recession, he would also provide fresh opportunities which insightful and perceptive leaders at all levels could utilize to ensure that Nigeria’s 20-20-20 Vision is not derailed.
Yar’Adua said he has confidence in Nigerians’ capacity to seize the moment by using current challenges to reposition the country for peace and prosperity.
The spokesman said the president also called on members of his cabinet to show greater honesty, dedication and commitment in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The yearly take-home pays for political office holders as approved by the National Assembly in April last year are: president 3,514,705 naira (about 25,000 U.S. dollars), vice president 3,031,572.50 naira (20,000 U.S. dollars), minister/secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF)/Head of Service (HOS)/Chairmen of Commissions,2,026,400 naira (14,500 U.S. dollars).
Governors earn 2.2 million naira and Deputy Governors 2.1 million naira (about 25,000 and 14,800 U.S. dollars).