Strong
indications emerged on Saturday that the leadership of both chambers of the
National Assembly might have agreed to invite President Muhammadu Buhari to
address a joint session of the federal lawmakers.
One of our
correspondents learnt that the decision was the outcome of the meeting of the
Senate and House of Representatives principal officers, hosted by Senate
President, Bukola Saraki, at his private residence on Wednesday night.
One of the
principal officers of the Senate, who pleaded anonymity, told one of (Punch Newspapers) correspondents that the leadership of both chambers deliberated extensively on
the current economic situation in the country and came up with some pragmatic
solutions.
The source
said the meeting agreed that the President should first be invited to tell the
federal parliamentarians the specific steps that his administration is taking
to take Nigeria out of recession.
Cut Jumbo pay, Afenifere, others tell lawmakers
Meanwhile,
a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and some
social rights associations have advised the National Assembly members to
reduce their jumbo pay in view of the economic recession in the country instead of planning to sell National Assets.
“The National Assembly members should cut down
their allowances and salaries to show that they are ready to walk the talk.“The
recession period calls for tax relief for the poor to increase the marginal
propensity to consume, while the rich should pay more taxes and that is where
the Asokoro and Maitama houses come in.”
“The National Assembly is currently feeding
fat on Nigerians. Their salaries and allowances do not reflect the current
economic abyss of our people.
“As all
charities must begin at home, the legislators should first reduce their
salaries and allowances voluntarily, as exemplary leaders, in order to instill confidence in our Nigerian people to embrace sacrifices.”
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