Gov Idris Receives Report On Remuneration, Salary Review From RMAFC Boss In Birni Kebbi

The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has urged Houses of Assembly in the  country to hasten the amendment of relevant laws in order that the  implementation of   the reviewed remuneration packages for political, public and judicial officers could begin without delay. 

 

 Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Muhammadu Bello  Shehu, made the call on Monday during the presentation of the report on remuneration, salary review to Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu in Birnin Kebbi.

The governor’s media aide, Mr. Yahaya Sarki noted in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com that a Federal Commissioner at the commission, Barrister Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba Haruna, who is an indigene of Kebbi state , made the presentation to the governor on behalf of the Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Shehu.

The chairman noted that  this was in line with provision of Paragraph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the federal government (as amended).

‘ It empowers the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to determine the remuneration appropriate for Political office Holders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators and the holders of the offices mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of the Constitution of federal government’ he said.

Shehu added that the last review of the remuneration was carried out in the year 2007 which gave birth to the  ‘Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008. 

‘ Sixteen years after the last review, it is imperative that the Remuneration Packages for the categories of the Office Holders mentioned in relevant Sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) should be reviewed. 

‘Pursuant to the above, Your Excellency may please recall that on Wednesday 1st February, 2023, the Commission held a one -day zonal public hearing on the review of the remuneration package simultaneously in all the six (6) geo-political zones in the country.

The aim of the exercise is to harvest inputs/ideas from a broad spectrum of Stakeholders’ he said.

 The Commission has  according to him reviewed the remuneration packages as contained in ‘these reports based on a combination of subjective and objective criteria’. 

‘The subjective criteria reflected the various expression by stakeholders through memoranda received, opinion expressed during the zonal public hearings and responses to questionnaires administered.

The objectives of the criteria were obtained from analysis of macro- economic variables particularly the Consumer Price Index (CPI)’  Shehu added. 

He also said the Commission was  guided by some principles, among which are: Equity and fairness; risk and responsibilities, national order of precedence; motivation and tenure of office, among others.  

Shehu said that having considered the impact of the review on the economy, the remuneration of the Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders in the country was adjusted upward by 114%.

He noted that with respect to allowances and fringe benefits, the Commission recommended that the existing allowances should be maintained at the current levels since that will translate to higher provisions in actual amounts when applied on the reviewed annual basic salary. 

The Chairman explained that, with respect to the Judicial Office holders, the Commission  has considered the introduction of three (3) new allowances. 

‘Professional Development Assistant: This is to allow for the provision of two (2) Law Clerks to all Judicial Officers in the country. 

‘Long Service Allowance: This is to guaranty seniority/hierarchy between officers who have been on the bench for a minimum of five (5) years and those that are appointed newly.

 Restricted or Forced Lifestyle: This is to take care of the nature of the lifestyle of Judicial Officers while in active service’ he said.

Shehu added that the Commission  has recommended 1st January, 2023 as the effective date for the commencement of the implementation of the Reviewed Remuneration Packages.

Governor Nasir Idris , his deputy,  Abubakar Umar Tafida , Speaker of  Kebbi state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Muhammadu Usman Ankwai Zuru, Justice Umar Abubakar, Acting Chief Judge of Kebbi state, the SSG, Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafida ,Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Bena and the Chief of Staff, Barr. Attahiru Maccido  attended the event-Team@orientactualmags.com
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