Senate ready for 50% pay cut – Kurfi

The Senate has agreed to the decision of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to review downward the salaries and allowances of federal lawmakers at the National Assembly by 50 per cent.

This was disclosed yesterday by Senator Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi ( APC Katsina Central) during a chat with senate correspondents.

The Senate had recently rejected the pay cut in their salaries and allowances by suspending consideration of the report of its Finance Committee following sharp disagreements among senior lawmakers over recommendation by the committee.

But Senator Kurfi said the upper chamber of the National Assembly had agreed to the 50 per cent pay cut in line with the policy of President Muhammadu Buhari administration to ensure prudence in public spending and restore dignity to governance in the country.

“The Eighth Senate is doing its best to ensure the success of the present administration. In line with policy of President Muhammadu Buhari to eradicate corruption in all sectors of the economy, we (senators) have already agreed to implement 50 per cent salary cut.

“We are in a change regime and we are ready to key into the zero tolerance for corruption policy of the present administration. Similarly, we have agreed to support all other policies and programmes being embarked upon for the benefit of Nigerians”, Kurfi said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain assured that the Senate would continue to help the executive arm to build on democracy, implement the change promised Nigerians by the party and ensure that President Buhari surpass the records of his predecessors.

He allayed the fears of some Nigerians that the APC-led federal government would not spread the dividends of democracy across Nigeria, saying the President as a man of integrity would ensure even development of the country.

On the crisis in APC since the party came to power, he said the leadership has not been leaving any stone unturned in keeping the party as one despite “misunderstanding among some leaders over certain issues”.

“We are trying hard to ensure that things take shape in the party. We are not divided, what we have is just misunderstanding among some leaders. Misunderstanding is bound to take place in any large party like the APC and this will be settled”, he assured.

Senator Kurfi expressed hope that democracy would thrive with more development in the country under President Buhari, saying “he is an honest, transparent and Godfearing leader that will make things work again in Nigeria”.

He therefore urged Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion and political party affiliation to rally round the number one citizen to succeed for the benefit of all.

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