As Nigerians still debate about the jumbo pay of National Assembly members, Projekthope, a pressure group has raised the alarm that newly elected NASS members have only done legislative business for only 15 days since their inauguration three months ago.
In a statement by the team leader of Media Integrity and Coordinator, Projekthope , Steve Aborisade, the group alleged that the members have collectively pocketed N13 billion for 15 days work.
Aborishade said “A situation which has ensured that they have sat for legislative business for only about 15 days since their inauguration three months ago, but in the process collectively pocketed over N13 billion within same period in allowances with not a single bill to their names is an indictment of the character and texture of the personalities of individuals occupying both chambers of our national assembly.
“It is indeed a big shame that our elected representatives who cherish the title of ‘Distinguished and Honourable’ hardly merit these titles if what they have reduced the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly to since their inauguration is put in context.
“For a National Assembly with a dubious past and burdens of integrity deficits, which elected to abdicate its constitutional oversight functions for the good of Nigerians, conniving with corrupt Nigerians to cover up several infractions, one would have thought that the renewed hope and desire for change by Nigerians will be a sufficient alibi for a new lease of life. But alas, we are wrong.
“It is important that Nigerians are aware, and rightly so, that these set of lawmakers have one main ambition – to surpass those before them in their ignoble acts. What more facts do we need than an unresolved forgery case, refusal to even contemplate their obscene allowances, contempt for accountability and openness resulting in the shelving of recommendations to discuss their pay and making it public and their trademark indifference to public opinion that Nigeria simply cannot afford not to get it right, this time around?
“We must take a stand for our future; we must take a stand for the future of our children. It’s time to demand a stop to the insensitiveness of the National Assembly as an institution, its time these lawmakers understood that enough is enough.”