This piece is not intended to denigrate anyone, it won’t undermine perceive inputs of our dynamic legislators, perhaps, as many would describe, it does not assassinate considerable characters therein. But as informational bridge connecting the people to their leaders, it is required that the people must be tacitly informed for proper appraisal.
The media was recently agog with what was tagged as an accountable 100 days in office. Here, our lawmakers (both at the red and green chambers) sent a well scripted and sequentially outlined legislative inputs to the public- each detailing what was attracted to their constituencies in the last 100 days.
E-sympathizers on the other hand rejigged efforts in describing vis-a-vis our legislators as latest democratic pathfinders who are well connected to the people.
However, critics in their usual nay never saw the professional PR efforts aright. Especially, as it tallied with responsibilities and capacities of our legislators, sane to say, they believe what was given to their constituents underscores the provision made in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria- as amended. This is why this piece would focus on provisions made for constituency projects for our lawmakers aside the primary lawmaking responsibilities.
During the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, federal lawmakers were basically to make laws, there was no considerable provision for them to embark on project for their constituencies. Hence, little or nothing was financially provided as constituency funds. However, in the umpteenth time, such provisions became necessitated by a pressuring demands from constituents on their representatives for basic amenities such as water, etc. This is the advent of constituency funds that has long transmogrified into millions of Naira. And in summary, each lawmaker now receives over N200 million quarterly constituency funds.
This is how it works; as lawmaker representing a particular constituency, you are entitled to over N13.5 million monthly as salaries and allowances. Out of this sum, over N750,000 is your basic salary. Others accrued must be accounted for. Therefore, 90% of the lawmakers’ monthly pay is evidentialy accounted for.
Aside the jumbo pay that has seen through to the dwindling of tax payers money is the almighty constituency funds. Unlike salary, constituency funds are not directly paid into lawmakers account. Instead, it’s deposited with the relevant agency. But lawmakers are informed individually and are asked to return to their various constituencies, initiate project(s) within the available amount (N200 million), and return invoices.
Now, between what is executed as projects in the various constituencies and payments advice tendered to claim these funds are perceived discrepancies that one is tempted to believe critics are worth lending credence in their opinions that lawmakers are not giving to their constituencies what is received on their behalf.
Funny enough, no panel of enquiry has been set up to investigate project executed or receipts tendered. Not from the masses or the agencies through which lawmakers access their constituency funds. So in all honesty, one may be right to say that lawmakers in a highly-metered conspiracy loots these funds and possibly becomes more rich and powerful after some legislative years.
Do you wonder why Nigerian Ex-governors chose the senate as their retirement home? Are you perplexed by the rising litigations trailing legislative mandate between the winner and the loser? What if, the lawmaking arms are structured on part basis- payment based on the number of sittings/bill passed into law, would the Ex-governors see anything lucrative at the chambers?
Aside, these juicy pay and constituency funds in which lawmakers may conspire to loot are some some severances- special allowances and estacodes.
All these and many more summed up to make political industry in Nigeria more demanding. And as at today, while Nigeria is officially declared as the world poverty capital, we run in the most cost ineffective governance in the world. Is this not a nightmare of a progressive entity? If yes, how would you describe such nightmare in a sinking state like ours?
Well, the next episode would delve into the details of projects executed in the various constituencies in Kogi state, the market value and probably, a rationale that would tail up the mind as to whether or not, our lawmakers are obviously performing below benchmarks.
I salute you all.
– John Paul writes from Port-Harcourt.
