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Salary Cut Meaningless Without Seriousness
The National Economic Council (NEC), the umbrella body for the governors of the thirty-six states and the nation's
economic managers recently endorsed the salary cut proposed by Musa Yar'Adua for all political appointees in the
country. According to reports, Yar'Adua believes that the current remuneration for political office holders in the country
is "untenable and unjustifiable in the present circumstances".
Yar'Adua is right on the spot with the two adjectives: untenable and unjustifiable. But "Mr. President" spoils the
sentence with the use of "in the present circumstances" which should be replaced with "at all times". Although Nigerian
political officers do not deserve the current salaries they earn, yet salary cut is meaningless and it is probably being
initiated to score a cheap political point rather than in the interest of the country. Before highlighting the reasons why
they do not merit their current earnings, it is pertinent to inform the public the yearly take-home pay for political office
holders as approved by the National Assembly in April 2008.
President: N3,514,705.00
Vice-President: N3,031,572.50
Minister/Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF)/Head of Service (HOS)/Chairmen of Commissions: N2,
026,400.00
Minister of State/Member of Commissions: N1,957,580.00
Special Advisers: N1,942,875.00.
Governors: N2.2milliion
Deputy Governors: N2.1million
Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners, Chairmen, N1.3million
Local Government Chairmen: N908,312
Vice Chairmen: N853,056
Supervisors: N809,300
Secretary: N809,300
Special Advisers: N760,076.
We can see from the above that the salaries being paid these political officers are not too much. The local government
chairmen for example earn less than N80, 000 per month. It is clear that they don't actually live on their salary. As low
as their wages, these political officers do not even deserve kobo judging from their performances in their various
establishments. Most of these officers are incompetent; they lack enthusiasm to serve; they are ostentatious and
greedy; they inflate contract without even doing the project. Perhaps we should leave this for another day.
One thing is clear though: the salary cut is not going to be effective without earnest and sincere approach. Cutting
down on salary which is not even enough is not an effective way of solving the current global credit crunch in Nigeria. If
however the government is bent on doing it, Mr. President "must immediately reprioritise government projects and
eliminate waste, ban all unnecessary foreign tours, medical visits and workshops, particularly by indolent legislators".
Newspaper reports had it in November 2007 that "Aso Rock budgets N2.3million daily for refreshment...N1.5m for eye
glasses". This is one example of profligate spending by the federal government and its components. I really do not
think that the government should have waited until recession before applying common sense in the way money is
being expended. Why not divert such expenses into education or health programme? In fact there are many things to
cut apart from the benefits of these inept political officers. Will heaven fall for instance if the usual red carpet is
replaced with red mat?
I am of the opinion that the total spending should reflect the way we are. A nation that cannot comfortably pay its
teachers, doctors, and law enforcement officers should not pretend to be rich in the way it spends. Yet I think the
federal government should desist from hiding under the global recession to deceive the public by cutting the salary of
political office holders. It won't work unless we are talking of another country entirely. It just doesn't augur well to
decide to cut salaries without transparency. This is quite unfortunate because most important policies have been
tackled in this rush-rush manner.
As far as I am concerned, the salary cut which has been widely reported to affect 16, 540 public office holders, is an
indirect way of promoting further corruption in the sense that a political officer who is corrupt even when his salary was
"fat" will only device another technique to loot now that his salary has been cut. This salary cut isn't a bold move at all.
A bold move would have been a permanent agenda that will make these political office holders accountable to the
people. A bold move would have been to implement a policy that will eradicate corruption - our unofficial ageless
recession - once and for all. I wonder if this approach is being undertaken in the interest of the country or simply to
score a cheap political point - as usual.
Or is the federal government going to force the market women to reduce the prices of essential commodities? I simply
don't get it. Market economy is not managed in this hush-hush style. Perhaps this is the main reason why many
Nigerian experts believe the pay cut is conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods. Another effective way
would have been to cut the numbers of political office holders. There are too many personal assistants without
portfolio. Yar’Adua should remove ghost workers who are spooking Nigerians here and there.
Instead of losing sleep over cutting salaries, the Nigerian government needs to implement a policy that will
permanently bring accountability in governance. There is the urgent need for responsibility otherwise every step taken
would be in vain. Our political office holders are notorious for breaking existing rules with impunity. This salary cut
won't be different. They have probably implemented a way to counter this directive. To these people money means
everything and they will do anything to have their salary intact no matter what. The main point is to put the right people
in the right place. The government should celebrate hard-work and dedication to service instead of indolence as is the
current practice.
Finally, I quite agree with Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who in spite of the fact that he is recuperating in far away Britain, has
slammed Yar'Adua over the proposed plan to cut salaries. Yes, it is a misplaced priority. Let the government govern
well by fighting greed and corruption which resides right in its backyard. No amount of salary cut will develop Nigeria
until we are serious as a people, especially until there are groups of people who really believe in the Nigerian project
and in deed know the art of governance very well. I don't think Nigeria will survive with these present leaders who just
love jaunting around the globe with our money. Equally important is the sycophantic citizens who would rather glorify
these corrupt leaders instead of vigorously demanding accountability from them. Yar'Adua and his cabinets need to be
told the truth, and nothing but the truth.
Copyright 2009 mysmallvoice@yahoo.com
my smallvoice
by Hakeem Babalola
location: Hungary
mysmallvoice@yahoo.com
by Hakeem Babalola
location: Hungary
mysmallvoice@yahoo.com
my smallvoice
by Hakeem Babalola
location: Hungary
mysmallvoice@yahoo.com
by Hakeem Babalola
location: Hungary
mysmallvoice@yahoo.com