By John Ikani
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has given its nod to a substantial 114 percent raise in the salaries of elected officials, including the president, vice president, governors, lawmakers, as well as judicial and public office holders.
The RMAFC, which is responsible for determining appropriate remuneration for political officeholders in accordance with the Constitution, has urged the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states to expedite the amendment of relevant laws to facilitate an upward review of remuneration packages for political, judicial, and public officers.
During the presentation of the reviewed remuneration package reports to Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, the RMAFC Chairman, Muhammadu Shehu, represented by federal commissioner Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, emphasized that the implementation of the revised remuneration packages would take effect from January 1, 2023.
He further stated that this action aligns with the provisions of paragraph 32(d) of part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 constitution of the federal government (as amended).
Shehu highlighted that the last remuneration review was conducted in 2007, resulting in the enactment of the “certain political, public and judicial office holders (salaries and allowances, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2008.”
He explained, “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 the federal government.”
“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,” Shehu added.
To gather diverse perspectives, the commission conducted a one-day zonal public hearing on the remuneration package review across all six geo-political zones of the country. The aim was to obtain inputs and ideas from a wide range of stakeholders.
Shehu emphasized that the commission has objectively and subjectively examined the salary packages in the reports, adhering to principles of equity, fairness, risk, responsibilities, and national order of precedence, among others.
“The subjective criteria reflect the various expressions by stakeholders through received memoranda, opinions expressed during the zonal public hearings, and responses to administered questionnaires,” he noted.
The commission also took into account certain guiding principles, such as equity, fairness, risk, responsibilities, national order of precedence, motivation, and tenure of office.
Considering the impact of the review on the economy, the commission has adjusted the remuneration of political, public, and judicial office holders upward by a significant 114 percent.
Shehu further explained that in relation to judicial office holders, the commission has introduced three new allowances:
1. Professional Development Assistant: This provision allows for two law clerks to be assigned to all judicial officers across the country.
2. Long Service Allowance: This ensures seniority and hierarchy between officers who have served on the bench for a minimum of five years and those newly appointed.
3. Restricted or Forced Lifestyle: This allowance caters to the unique nature of the lifestyle of judicial officers during active service.
