Gbajabiamila Supports Official Disclosure Of Salaries, Allowances Of Lawmakers

The Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos-APC), has urged the National Assembly to publish a breakdown of salaries and allowances of federal lawmakers in the country.

Gbajabiamila told journalists on Friday in Abuja that the call became necessary in order to correct conflicting figures as perceived by the public.

He said the need for official disclosure of the figures became necessary in view of the current campaign for full disclosure of funding of all tiers and arms of government.

He added that “until you open up your books to the public, let them look at how much you earn, and break that payment down into sub-heads and what that payment is for…

“It is after you open that up that the debate on whether it is too much or too little can then begin. For instance, if you bring it down, say for transportation, this is how much a lawmaker gets, the public can determine whether the amount is too much for transportation or not. There are many conflicting figures and you leave yourself vulnerable to speculations as a legislator if you are not transparent and you don’t open up your books.

“So, I am in support of the National Assembly to open up its book to the public and publish it.’’