The legislature in Nigeria no doubt is supposed to be a very key bloc in our democracy, where laws are made to better the lives of the people strengten democracy and it’s institutions.
But it seems what we have is a drain pipe. In the 2015 budget, a whooping N150 billion was allocated to this arm of government. Interestingly, this money can fund 20 ministries, departments and parastatals. What the 109, Senators, and 360 members get is 3.4 per cent.
In four years they pocketed over N600 billion , with only 106 bills to show for it.
Of the 109 senators, no fewer than 40 had not sponsored a bill in four years.
While our senators earn over £1 million, annually, legislators in the US earn $174,000, per annum, while, their counterparts in oil rich Saudi Arabia get $64,000, per annum.
Below is a breakdown
* Bangladesh – $4,000.00
* Sri Lanka – $5,100.00
* India – $11,200.00
* Malaysia – $25,300.00
* Thailand – $43,800.00
* Spain – $43,900.00
* Ghana – $46,500.00
* Saudi Arabia – $64,000.00
* Indonesia – $65,800.00
* Kenya – $74,500.00
* France – $85,900.00
* Sweden – $99 300.00
* South Africa – $104,000.00
* Britain – $105,400.00
* New Zealand – $112,500.00
* Israel – $114,800.00
* Germany – $119,500.00
* Ireland – $120,400.00
* Hong Kong – $130,700.00
* Japan – $149,700.00
* Canada – $154 000.00
* Singapore – $154,000.00
* Brazil – $157,600.00
* United States – $174,000.00
* Italy – $182,000.00
*Nigeria – $2,183,685.00
The details of the remuneration of an
average Nigerian Senator is detailed below;
* Basic Salary (B.S) – N2,484,245.50
* Hardship Allowance (50% of B.S) – N1,242,122.70
* Constituency Allowance (200% of B.S) –
N4,968,509.00
* Newspapers Allowance (50% of B.S) –
N1,242,122.70
* Wardrobe Allowance (25% of B.S) – N621,061.37
* Recess Allowance (10% of B.S) – N248,424.55
* Accommodation (200% of B.S) – N4,968,509.00
* Utilities (30% of B.S) – N828,081.83
* Domestic Staff (70% of B.S) – N1,863,184.12
* Entertainment (30% of B.S) – N828,081.83
* Personal Assistants (25% of B.S) – N621,061.12
* Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (75% of B.S) –
N1,863,184.12
* Leave Allowance (10% of B.S) – N248,424.55
* Severance Gratuity (300% of B.S) – N7,452,736.50
* Car Allowance (400% of B.S) – N9,936,982.00
* TOTAL MONTHLY SALARY = N29,479,749.00
($181,974.00)
* TOTAL YEARLY SALARY = N29,479,749.00 x 12 =
N353,756,988.00
The average salary of Nigerian worker based on
the national minimum wage is N18,000.00, So,
the yearly salary is N18,000.00 x 12 =
N216,000.00
Remember, Yearly Salary of Nigerian Senator =
N353,756,988.00
Proportion: N353,756,988.00/N216,000.00 = 1,638
It will take an average Nigerian worker 1,638 years to
earn the yearly salary of a Nigerian
Senator.