Saraki Exonerates NASS Over Bogus Pay, Says RMAFC Is Responsible For Wardrobe Allowance

by Musa Abdullahi

President of the Senate, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki today exonerated the National Assembly members of enjoying bogus pay after the lawmakers came under series of attack by Nigerians after the Legislators were reported to enjoy a whooping amount for wardrobe allowance.

Senator Saraki cleared air on the N8.64billion bogus wardrobe allowance to lawmakers as reported in the media, saying the Commission
is charged with fixing of remunerations to public office holders and advise the media to be more accurate in their reporting.

He however, warned government agencies adamant of not remitting Federal Government revenue to the Federation account saying government will no longer condone such mismanagement act.

Saraki said this when he received the Chairman of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Engr. Elias Mbam and
his team in Abuja that non-compliance by agencies of government has brought major setback in the processes of governance.

In a statement by Bamikole Omishore, Media Office of the President of the Senate, he reiterated the support of the Senate in bringing back justice to any erring agency that indulges in diverting government revenue to illegal channel adding, “Monetary revenue and allocation is a serious challenge to our economy.

Though, diversification of economy is very important but is not an overnight issue. We must block every leakage in government revenue.

“We made campaign promises to Nigerians and we must fulfill all our pledges. It cannot be business as usual. We will do everything within
our capacity to elevate the living standard of Nigerians.”

Earlier, the RMAFC Boss, Mbam said the agency have always enjoyed cordial relationship with the National Assembly while calling for continued working partnership with the view to enhance their effectiveness.

Mbam condemned the recent media report that exaggerated the wardrobe allowances of Senators and members of the House of Representatives
saying, that wardrobe allowance is 25 percent of the basic salary which when broken down amounts to N506, 600 per legislator, per annum.

He advised that the agency operates a functional website where information concerning the day-to-day activities of the agency is published.