REPORT: House of Reps Members To Receive N70m Each As ‘Welcome Package’ (see breakdown)

Members of the green chamber of the Nigeria National Assembly, known as House of Representatives are to collect N70 million each as ‘welcome package’ starting from Monday 1st of July, 2019.

In essence, the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan; his deputy, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Speaker, Mr Ahmed Idris, and 465 other lawmakers are set to receive at least N32.83bn  as welcome package, as shown by SundayPUNCH’s investigation.

A member of the federal legislature management anonymously confirmed the development on Saturday.

According to him, “We have not started the disbursement of what you people called ‘welcome package’ but the honourable members and the senators should start receiving their money  from next (this) week because we have done our part.”

As claimed, the welcome package comprises annual accommodation allowance, furniture allowance, and motor vehicle loan. It will also include the salaries and allowances of the lawmakers for the first month and the running or overhead cost for the first three months.

There was indication that the running cost might have been enhanced as each member of the House of Representatives might receive as much as N70m.

Although it could not be ascertained what a senator would receive, traditionally, senators are paid higher than the House of  Representatives members.  If a Rep receives N70m, a senator may receive up to N100m.

However, N32.83bn is the summation of N70m into 469 places which is the total number of lawmakers at the both red and green chamber.

A source at the National Assembly confirmed that each Rep would receive N70m while another source confirmed that a senator would receive at least N70m.

A senator collects N40.5m (for three months) for overhead as revealed by Senator Shehu Sani in the 8th National Assembly. The monthly salary and regular allowances of a senator is N1,063,860.

As prescribed by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, a senator is entitled to N4,052,800 for accommodation (once a year) and a furniture allowance of N6,079,200 (once in four years). Should a senator desire, they are entitled to N8, 105,600 as motor vehicle loan.  These sum up to N59, 801,460.

A member of the House of Representatives, on the other hand, receives N30m a quarter for overhead or running cost. They are also entitled to a monthly salary and a regular allowance of N794, 086.83.

The accommodation allowance of a Rep is N3, 970,425 per annum while the furniture allowance is N5, 955,637 (for four years). Should a Rep desire, they can get a motor vehicle loan of N7, 940,850.50. These sum up to N48, 660,999.83.

The lawmakers are expected to rent apartments since the estate meant for them at the Apo legislative quarters has been sold.

Lawan and  Gbajabiamila had set up ad hoc committees in both chambers to work with the National Assembly management to ensure the lawmakers were ready to resume work on Tuesday.

Confirming the allowances and the scheduled payment, members of the parliament anonymously claimed that the payment was supposed to have been paid earlier than now.

A member of the House of Representatives said, “The allowances should be paid before resumption. As a new member, you are given furniture and accommodation allowances; these will total over N9m. They will give you the money and it is left for you to  get a house or  stay in a hotel, nobody will be housed anywhere.”

“We have not collected anything. Up till now, I have not got one naira. I’m broke now and I’m looking for money,” the source added.