The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has urged Houses of Assembly in the 36 States of the country to hasten the amendment of relevant laws to allow for the commencement of the implementation of the reviewed remuneration packages for political, public and judicial officers.
The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Shehu, made the call on Monday in Birnin Kebbi during a presentation of the reports of the reviewed renumeration package to Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu.
The Federal Commissioner, Barrister Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba Haruna who is an indegene of Kebbi State made the presentation to the Governor on behalf of the Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Shehu at a courtesy visit to Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
The chairman said that the move was in line with provision of Paragraph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the federal government (as amended).
He said:” It empowers the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to determine the remuneration appropriate for Political office Holders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators and the holders of the offices mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of the Constitution of federal government.”.
Shehu said that the last review of the remuneration was carried out in the year 2007 which culminated into the “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008.
” Sixteen years after the last review, it is imperative that the Remuneration Packages for the categories of the Office Holders mentioned in relevant Sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) should be reviewed.
”Pursuant to the above, Your Excellency may please recall that on Wednesday 1st February, 2023, the Commission held a one day zonal public hearing on the review of the remuneration package simultaneously in all the six (6) geo-political zones of the country.
”The aim of the exercise is to harvest inputs/ideas from a broad spectrum of Stakeholders.”
According to chairman, the Commission has reviewed the remuneration packages as contained in these Reports based on a combination of subjective and objective criteria.
”The subjective criteria reflected the various expression by stakeholders through memoranda received, opinion expressed during the zonal public hearings and responses to questionnaires administered.
”The objectives of the criteria were obtained from analysis of macro- economic variables particularly the Consumer Price Index (CPI),” Shehu added.
He added that the Commission was also guided by some principles, among which are: Equity and fairness; risk and responsibilities, national order of precedence; motivation and tenure of office, among others.
Shehu said that having considered the impact of the review on the economy, the remuneration of the Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders in the country was adjusted upward by 114%.
Shehu said that with respect to allowances and fringe benefits, the Commission recommended that the existing allowances be maintained at the current levels since that will translate to higher provisions in actual amounts when applied on the reviewed annual basic salary.
The Chairman explained that, with respect to the Judicial Office holders, the Commission considered the introduction of three (3) new allowances.
They are: ” Professional Development Assistant: This is to allow for the provision of two (2) Law Clerks to all Judicial Officers in the country.
”Long Service Allowance: This is to guaranty seniority/hierarchy between officers who have been on the bench for a minimum of five (5) years and those that are appointed newly.. ” Restricted or Forced Lifestyle: This is to take care of the nature of the lifestyle of Judicial Officers while in active service.”.
Shehu said that the Commission recommended 1st January, 2023 as the effective date for the commencement of the implementation of the Reviewed Remuneration Packages.
The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris ,Kauran Gwandu with his deputy, Senator Abubakar Umar Tafida , Speaker Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Muhammadu Usman Ankwai Zuru, Justice Umar Abubakar, Acting Chief Judge of Kebbi State, the SSG, Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafida ,Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Bena and the Chief of Staff, Barr. Attahiru Maccido keenly listened to the presentation.
