Reps gets March salary alerts, postpones coronavirus donation

The House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila had stated all the members of the House of Representatives would donate their two months salary to aid the treatment of coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria.
Lawmakers have received their payments without the deduction despite their promise to donate two months’ salaries to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

A member of the House who was paid his March salary disclosed that many of his colleagues have equally received theirs.

“The Speaker said March and April but members Wednesday received March salaries. There’s seeming lack of coordination between the leadership and the clerk of NASS who’s responsible for transferring the funds,” he said.

Another member, Solomon Maren (PDP, Plateau) confirmed that he was also paid his March salary. Shocked by the development, Maren contacted the Speaker about the development.

“The Clerk explained to the Speaker, that when the instruction for the deductions was given, it was late because the various banks have already prepared everything regarding the payment of salaries.

“So, since it will not be reversed, the payment will now start from April and then May. You know, the banks are not working,” the lawmaker said.

Reacting, the House spokesman, Benjamin Okezie Kalu (APC, Abia) stated that the debit authorisation for the month had gone out in line with the standing debit order from the management of the National Assembly to the banks.

“If there are administrative technical hitches, it is not due to the fault of the members but a minor payment system error that will be corrected to effect our unanimous decision that supports the federal government during these trying times,” he said.