On Salaries Of Nigeria’s Public Officials: Stopping The Bleeding

By

Leonard Karshima Shilgba, PhD

leonardshilgba@nigeriarally.org

 

In section 16 (2) (d), we have the following words:

 

The state shall direct its policy to ensure that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens.

 

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for “reasonable” and “living” national minimum wage for all Nigerians who choose to work. A nation can only choose to ignore her Constitution to its painful destruction. Furthermore, the ultimate destruction of a people partly springs from a general ignorance of what their nation’s Constitution says. Nigerians are generally ignorant of the content of their nation’s Constitution. By the actions and inactions of Nigeria’s rulers, it is very evident that many of them are not familiar with the binding provisions of Nigeria’s Constitution.

 

In the section I have quoted above, Nigeria must have in place a sound social security system whereby Nigerians who are without employment would be provided for in an organized manner. This does not call for cosmetic measures or “poverty alleviation measures” (The oft used phrase by deceivers of Nigerians). It requires, for instance, that in each local government and ward area, there should be Welfare offices where registered unemployed Nigerians go with some form of digital identification to get weekly rations of basic provisions such as food, beverage for infants and little children. It requires the establishment of Food banks, for instance in local government and ward areas funded and supported by all tiers of government and private donors. How many Nigerians know that this is a constitutional requirement? How many Nigerian University graduates know about this?

 

The constitutional provision above plainly requires that our senior citizens should, for instance, obtain regular medical check-ups at government expense and provisions of food and shelter. It requires that they should not be in the news because they are always fighting to get their pensions. A Nigerian citizen who had served with Nigeria’s Industrial Trust Fund for over 20 years cannot even get his pension, which is less than N 30,000 a month. I checked up information about the Minister of Industry so that I could write him about this. This citizen is just one out of millions of our senior citizens who suffer similar fate repeatedly in a country whose constitution urges the contrary. It is very unfortunate how Nigeria’s public officials are inaccessible. You either cannot find their email addresses and phone numbers or when you write you get no reply. Honestly, I am becoming more convinced that a completely different approach is required at this time.  

 

Some people write me asking how they could be of help. First, the word must go out sufficiently about the status quo. We may assume that Nigerians know already; they don’t know enough yet. I am going to share from my heart to yours. Maybe some of you who are reading have great reach, influence, and resources that are needed at this time. Lift whatever I publish and make into radio jingles, billboard message, TV and newspaper advertorials, small tracts etc. I stand by what I write and fear nothing and no consequences. Go to our website (www.nigeriarally.org) and download the tract RESCUING NIGERIA and mass-produce and distribute. You may translate into some Nigerian languages too.

 

If you are either a publisher or on the Editorial board of a traditional newspaper such as the Guardian, Punch, ThisDay, Tribune, Newswatch, Tell, etc which the majority of Nigerians at home read, and you have ignored my articles all those years, please answer me: What I write, is it not true? The arguments I make, are they not rational? My diction and writing style, are they not of a high quality enough for your newspapers compared to what your columnists write? Is the message contained in my writings not urgent and timely? Is it not true that some of you are afraid or have certain political interests you would not want jeopardized by publishing what I write? Something is fundamentally wrong somewhere. Those traditional newspapers, magazines and the entire news media are mandated as follows by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:

 

Section 22: “The press, radio, television, and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the accountability and responsibility of the Government to the people.”

 

I must confess that I have received the support of both some newspapers in Nigeria and online newspapers. For that I am very grateful. If I should say that I do not believe what I write makes sense, I would be lying to myself; and I am not prepared to go that path.

 

The news media helps in choosing what the people focus upon. Let me give you an example of how the news media in Nigeria have helped our politicians to relax. Shortly before the 2007 general elections, there was the scandal of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria set up a committee to look into the issue. The committee came up with its report indicting some personalities including the former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. The Senate then set up another committee to examine the report of that committee. I wrote and warned that would reduce the whole thing to a charade. Let me ask you. Has the Nigeria news media kept focus on that in order to bring closure on the issue? No, they have made the nation to forget, while the guilty remain happy. In an article titled “Counsel to Nigeria’s new President” (available online), I urged whoever would emerge as Nigeria’s president in 2007 to bring closure to the PTDF issue. The Nigeria news media has made the people to drink the wine of forgetfulness. This wine with which we are now intoxicated has served in part to encourage corruption because after all it is a matter of time before Nigerians celebrate again a former thief.

 

 Those who were arrested in connection with the Okijia forest about 5 years ago have got the luxury of news-media-induced forgetfulness and the whole episode has slipped off journalistic radar; there is no follow-up and closure. Journalistic investigation and consistency are both lacking with our news media. They can’t pick up an issue and direct attention upon until resolution is reached. Desire for brown envelops has ruined journalism in Nigeria. Newspapers cannot be relied upon to guide society in understanding programs and manifestos of politicians running for elections. Endorsement of certain candidates with adduced reasons is all too lacking. I hope our news media will wake up before the 2011 general elections.

 

I hope the Nigerian news media will investigate and tell us what the federal government is using savings from sovereign loan servicing for. A consequence of Nigeria’s exit from both the London and Paris clubs debt trap over three years ago was that the money so saved would be invested in Education, health, and general infrastructural development. Some of us have not forgotten. I urge the news media to urgently get to work and put persistent pressure on government to account for this.

 

WHO KILLED DELE GIWA? We have forgotten about that, haven’t we? Yet there is no closure yet. Who killed Bola Ige? Who killed Funsho Williams? Who killed Dikkibo? I can go on and on. Are there any newspapers that are still on those cases? See how I have derailed from the topic at hand. Please, forgive me, dear reader. My heart is bleeding so much because of what I know. Let us go on to the issue of wages and salaries of public officials

 

The national minimum wage of N 7,500, is it reasonable according to section 16 (2) (d)? Is it rational and acceptable that the national minimum wage is N 7,500 while our public officials earn outrageous salaries and allowances? (Read my comprehensive paper on their salaries and allowances on www.nigeriarally.org in the article, “Commentary on Nigeria: Should I give up?”

 

You may have observed that the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) recently announced some cut in the allowances of public officials in Nigeria. Although it is heart-warming that it shows the pressure is hitting home, it is not a significant cut and nothing has been announced about improved take for the Nigerian workers. Besides, the Senate has already kicked against the proposed cut, and rather suggested a mere 10 percent reduction  in their basic salaries only  “in the public interest” (What a contradiction!) while the allowances-which are very outlandish should remain the same. These, you should know, include the "600 US dollars daily estacode" per Senator, which in naira is about N2, 628,000 a month. We have not even begun to talk of their salaries yet!

 

ASUU is on strike; our public universities have been shut down. Do you know that should they stop paying Senators this "daily estacode of 600 US dollars", it will save N3.44 billion! Now, plough this in upgrading facilities in the Federal Unity schools or our public universities (I have not even begun to talk of similar "estacodes" for House of Representatives).

 

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Ayogu Eze was reported as saying:

 

“We looked at the issue of wage cut which the Executive has proposed and the Senate has authorized a small committee to look at the issue and the legal technicality of bringing this about.  The committee is liaising with the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and we have given them a mandate to reduce our basic pay by 10 percent.


“Every senator’s basic pay will be brought down by 10 percent and that is the mandate we have given

to our subcommittee working on this exercise. They have been working quietly and we have asked them to communicate this to RMAFC that as they are considering other sectors, they should also take us along. Every senator’s basic pay will be brought down by 10 percent and that is the mandate we have given to our subcommittee working on this exercise. They have been working quietly and we have asked them to communicate this to RMAFC that as they are considering other sectors, they should also take us along.”

 

Read section 84 (3) [and parallel section 124 (3) for states]:

 

The remuneration and salaries payable to the holders of the said public offices and their conditions of service, other than allowances, shall not be altered to their disadvantage after their appointment.”

 

A confirmation of the deliberate ignorance of provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by some of our lawmakers is manifest in what Senator Eze said. There cannot be 10 percent cut in the basic salaries of public officials mentioned in sections 84 and 124 without amendment of the relevant portions, which constitution amendment must follow the procedure outlined in section 9. But the allowances can be reviewed at any time by the RMAFC. I therefore state without equivocation that the Senators’ proposal of 10 percent cut in their basic salary falls flat and cannot stand. If the RMAFC makes a mistake to adopt that without constitutional amendment, it must be prepared for legal challenge by groups such as ours.

 

The RMAFC has caused the mess and must clean it by a hefty reduction and total cancellation of certain allowances it had without restraint awarded to public officials in Nigeria. We demand more reduction or total cancellation of certain allowances. In the Third Schedule Part I paragraph 32 (d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is stated that among the powers of the RMAFC is to “determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders, including the President, Vice-President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisors, Legislators and the officers mentioned in sections 84 and 124 of this Constitution.”

 

It is therefore, neither in Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria nor any public officials mentioned in sections 84 and 124 of the Constitution to dictate to the RMAFC and determine their salaries. If the RMAFC should decide to reduce the basic salaries of elected public officials it will do so to take effect from 2010, 2011, or 2013 or whatever time in a state or the federation that new elected officials may be sworn it; that is if our legislators are so incapable of amending the relevant portions in the true public interest. With regard to non-elected public officials mentioned in sections 84 and 124, there shall be no downward-review of the basic salaries for holders of their offices after their appointment until they are removed from such offices.  But with respect to allowances, the RMAFC may even choose to scrap them without constitutional violations.

 

In section 70 it is stated as follows:

 

“A member of the Senate and House of Representatives shall receive such salary and other allowances as the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission  may determine.”

 

In order to seal the fact that salaries and allowances set by the RMAFC remain the maximum allowed, we have this provision in section 84 (1):

 

There shall be paid to holders of offices mentioned in this section such remuneration, salaries, and allowances as may be prescribed by the National Assembly, but not exceeding the amount as shall have been determined by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission.”

                  

The case is closed!

 

The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wants the RMAFC to “take us along”. Public Universities in Nigeria have been shut down for over three weeks as I write; yet, the Senate saw no urgency in “forming a subcommittee” to look into the issue so that University staff and faculty could be “taken along”. But as soon as the RMAFC announced some inconsequential reduction in their allowances, they sprang up to set of a subcommittee to ensure they are “carried along”. What nauseating selfishness! 108,000 Academic staff of Nigerian public universities-ASUU (including full Professors) are asking for a mere 177 billion naira a year in salaries and allowances, and yet the government of President Yar’Adua has refused to grant this. Less than 500 federal legislators presently earn about 60.4 billion naira annually! Just look at the ratio of 177 billion to 108,000 compared to that of 60.4 billion to 456. In plain English, the new salary ASUU is asking for, even when given, will make their average salary to be N 1,638,88.89 a year, while the present average salary of a federal legislator is N140,350,877.1. Now, tell me that this is fair. Then juxtapose what our federal legislators are earning with the N90,000 annual national minimum wage that the Nigerian worker is being given contrary to section 16 (2) (d) and tell me we have a functioning legislature and federal Executive loyal to the rule of law in Nigeria. Let me speak plainly, a federal legislator earns more than 1,559 times national minimum. Tell me in which other country that is happening, and I will show you a country that will never develop and know peace.

 

The settlement of some Niger Delta militants recently (I don’t believe they are that many militants; someone is obviously looking for a way to make a killing out of the unfortunate situation) is proof that the only language the Nigerian government understands without need for interpreters is violence. In as much as I would not advocate for violence, every unjust law and system must have only one response-resistance. In this sense, I completely deplore the fact that President Obama, in his speech during his visit to Ghana, was tacitly quiet about the pogrom and crisis in the Niger Delta while he pointedly mentioned the crisis in Darfur Sudan. Is the USA quietly goading from behind? I urge the new government in USA to take urgent steps to quickly dispel this suspicion that is beginning to form in the minds of writers like me.

 

Besides the “Daily allowance” of 600 US dollars each Senator is given, they are also paid “Constituency projects” allowance, whose accounting is dubious. In this year’s budget alone, N 60 billion has been set aside for the Senators-N10 billion for each geo-political region consisting of 3 Senators per state. Every quarter a Senator receives N45 million naira for projects of their choosing! If we enlightened Nigerians refuse to make consistent protest about this and mobilize even a physical protest, we will never develop the physical infrastructure we need to develop. Structural inequality represented by unequal opportunities for quality education-The greatest social equalizer, unequal access to quality health care, lack of electric power to those who cannot afford generators, etc will continue. If you are reading this article it places on you the burden to make known this fact.

 

Senator Eze shamelessly  said the Senate’s decision was informed by the desire to respect the “interest and aspiration of the people” even as he was quoted as saying: “We know that when this salary cut is made, it will be deployed to build facilities and provide amenities for the people we represent, and that is why we have considered it and we have seen the wisdom in the proposal by Mr. President. We are happy to submit ourselves that our basic salary should be cut to cushion the impact of the global meltdown on our country.  It has to be worked out by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal commission.” What lies! If the Senators had our interest in mind they would not only reject this stealing from the commonwealth in the name of funny-sounding allowances, but they would without delay force compliance with section 16 (2) (d) and reduce to about 10 from the over 1,559 the factor by which their salary compares to the national minimum wage.

 

The generally unknown fact in Nigeria is that a lot of stealing goes on through the award of “allowances” and “estacodes” to public officials. Unfortunately, it is the same RMAFC that is now pretending to be concerned that awarded those allowances in the first place. Where was their sense of reason and equity when they made such horrendous awards? It is such lack of conscience that has made me identify the RMAFC as one of the enemies of Nigerians. I had urged and we had in fact planned to picket their office in Abuja during a planned rally in Abuja. But the “Servant-leader” Yar’Adua used official might to stop us. If we are saying what is a lie they should point to it. They are afraid of us putting out the facts as clearly as possible before Nigerians; giving them the public opportunity to ask questions and make their presentations. Those in power are simply delaying the day of reckoning. I pity them and all journalists and newspaper publishers who are now hobnobbing with them. I pity them because they shall pay.

 

 

The spoiling of Nigerians by those politicians with the heart of stone must be increasingly made public with reviewed clarity in order to make Nigerians know one of the reasons why the country as a whole cannot develop. The wage bill for public officials is simply unsustainable.

Was it not the same RMAFC, which is now playing holy and lamenting, for instance that over 90 percent of revenue at the LG level is spent on salaries (not salaries of ordinary Nigerians of course), about 50 percent at the state level on salaries (of Public officials of course), and over 67 percent at the federal level that set the stage? Only last year, at the revealed beginning of global economic meltdown, the same RMAFC, against all economic wisdom, raised the salaries of those public officials. And this year, the RMAFC sent a bill to the national assembly seeking to increase benefits for some former public officials. Our memory serves us very well. The RMAFC has questions to answer. As I conclude, let me remind you that I have not talked about the Executive and Judiciary and state legislature. Read my article, “Commentary on Nigeria: Should I give up?” www.nigeriarally.org to get more details.

 

Leonard Karshima Shilgba is the President of the Nigeria Rally Movement (www.nigeriarally.org) and Assistant Professor of Mathematics with the American University of Nigeria.

 

Email: leonardshilgba@nigeriarally.org