National Assembly Clears Air on Two Million Allowances to Senators

By Iyojo Ameh

The National Assembly has cleared the air on the payment of a N2,000,000.00 (Two million naira) allowance to each senator made public by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio during the ministerial screening in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement issued by Dr. Ali B. Umoru , Director, Secretary, Research & Information for Clerk to the National Assembly in Abuja.

According to the statement, “the attention of the Management of the National Assembly has been drawn to the persistent mischaracterization and misunderstanding of the payment of a N2,000,000.

The statement pointed out that, the Two million Naira is part of the running cost of the office of each senator as provided for in the 2023 budget.

“The allocation for running costs is not a new development; it has been a standard practice. These funds are utilized to facilitate various activities that directly contribute to effective representation, legislative activities and other initiatives aimed at serving the interests of the people”.

“For the avoidance of doubt, and for emphasis, the said allowances were budgeted for in the 2023 Appropriation Act as part of the running cost of the office of each Senator of the 10th Assembly. The allowances are therefore an entitlement and not a privilege or largesse distributed to the Senators”.

It further stated that, “the wrong impression the subject matter has created, has become imperative to make this clarification and put the records straight saying that National Assembly remains committed to transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

Recall that the Senate President made an announcement during the ministerial screening about the monetary alert sent to each Lawmaker’s email by the Clerk of the Senate for their annual recess.