Nigerian Senators, House of Reps should receive same N62,000 minimum wage labour union proposed-Reverend Father Mbaka
…Allowances given to legislators attract corruption despite the daily hardship facing the masses for survival
*Chastise Federal Government for handing out sitting allowance, wardrobe allowance, newspaper allowance, and suffering allowance to lawmakers
*“If we decide to give labour N60,000 or N62,000, why not generalize it to the House of Assembly members, senatorial members, House of Representative members, and governors? They are all civil servants, so are the others slaves? The people that should have such allowances are those suffering in the village. How much are our teachers, nurses, and doctors being paid? Let’s be realistic, our civil servants that wake early and return late daily, how much are they being paid?”
*Senate Approves 300% Salary Increase for Nigerian Judicial Officers
*Justices of the Supreme Court are to earn a total package of N4, 213,192.54, while the President of the Court of Appeal is to earn a total monthly package of N4, 478,415.78
*BY GODWIN ABBEY/ABUJA Senior Labor Editor, NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER
HE’S KNOWN as a straight shooter, for daring to speak truth to any government in power in times of dire situations. Popular Catholic priest, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, has urged the Federal Government to address the minimum wage issue cautiously to prevent potential crisis and pay the same proposed Labor Union’s proposed N62,000 of civil servants to lawmakers.
The cleric’s remarks come amid ongoing deliberations between the Federal Government and labour unions regarding the new minimum wage, which the government has proposed at N62,000, while labour unions demand N250,000.
Mbaka criticized the allowances given to legislators despite the hardships faced by Nigerians, suggesting that senators, governors, and members of the House of Representatives should also receive the proposed N62,000 national minimum wage.
He advised the Federal Government to proceed with caution to avoid a crisis.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Mbaka stated, “If we decide to give labour N60,000 or N62,000, why not generalize it to the House of Assembly members, senatorial members, House of Representative members, and governors?
“They are all civil servants, so are the others slaves? I can’t understand why they are amazing billions as sitting allowance, wardrobe allowance, newspaper allowance, and suffering allowance.
“The people that should have such allowances are those suffering in the village.”
Speaking further, Mbaka said, “How much are our teachers, nurses, and doctors being paid? Let’s be realistic, our civil servants that wake early and return late daily, how much are they being paid?
“Looking at the level of inflation in the country, you will see that we are all not sincere in this country.
“I’m pleading with the government that a stitch in time saves nine; this situation must be handled with care because it might be hijacked and nobody knows the ripple effect.”
*Senate Approves 300% Salary Increase for Nigerian Judicial Officers
The Nigerian Senate has approved a bill to increase judicial salaries by 300% to address inflation and enhance judges’ professionalism.
The Senate has passed a bill seeking to prescribe improved salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits of Judicial office holders in Nigeria by 300 per cent.
The development followed the adoption of report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters presented by the Chairman of the committee Senator Mohammed Monguno (lBorno North).
The Executive bill forwarded by the President is titled “A Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Office Holders in Nigeria and for Related Matters”.
The bill provides a total monthly package of 5,385,047.26 for the Chief Justice of Nigeria
Justices of the Supreme Court are to earn a total package of N4, 213,192.54, while the President of the Court of Appeal is to earn a total monthly package of N4, 478,415.78.
Also, justices of the Court of Appeal are to earn a total monthly package of N3, 726,665.40, while the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Grand Khadi, FCT Sharia Court of Appeal, President of Customary Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of State High Court and Grand Khadi of State Sharia Court of Appeal and President of state Customary Court of Appeal are to earn a total monthly package of N3, 527,022.61.
Monguno said stakeholders at the public hearing of the bill were unanimous in their support for its passage.
He said the purpose of the bill is sacrosanct to the justice sector reform initiative of the present administration.
He said the bill was in consonance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the standing rules of the Senate.
He said, “The proposed legislation is apt and timely as the increase in remuneration of judicial office holders is long overdue in light of the present economic realities and high inflation in the country”.
Monguno said the bill was “quite innovative,” aside from the increment in the basic salary, it also took cognizance of certain peculiarities of the administrative structure and operation of the judiciary.”
He said, “Generally the bill, if passed will birth an appropriate and commensurate remuneration that will ensure judicial independence and integrity.
“That no doubt adequate remuneration will allow judicial officers to focus on their professional development without worrying about financial constraint; hence it will improve their professionalism and decision-making skills.
“That fair compensation for judicial officers is crucial for maintaining public trust in judiciary’s impartiality and integrity.
“When Judges are adequately compensated, it demonstrates a commitment by society towards the important role they play in upholding justice”.
He said the increase in remuneration for judicial office holders was essential to attract and retain highly qualified and experienced professionals who possess the necessary skills, knowledge and integrity to serve on the bench.
“That certainly, the bill if passed will give financial security to retired judicial officers after years of dedication in the profession and allowing them to remain comfortable during their retirement”.
He said the increment under consideration has been captured in the 2024 Appropriation Act.
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