A member of the lower legislative chamber, Rep Simon Karu from Gombe State has said that each member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives receives N9.3 monthly as salary and running cost.
Karu who represents Kaltungo/Shongom federal constituency disclosed this at an event titled, “Fixing Nigeria at 60 – Sustainable and efficient democracy: Issues on accountability and transparency in governance” organised to mark Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary.
He said, “The official salary of a member, house of representatives, which I also receive monthly is N800,000. I told you I was going to say it; why don’t you wait for me to say it? The office running cost of a member of the house of representatives is N8.5 million.
“Those of you who know, know that I said exactly what it is. The problem is what the constituents demand, and when you don’t meet [up], they begin to call you names.
“Just before I walked to the stage I received three emails from my constituents demanding money and jobs. When you don’t, it becomes an issue.”
His claim was, however, countered by another member of the house of Representative, Ossai Nicholas Ossai who also attended the event.
Ossai said, “I have never received such salary since I came to the National Assembly and I have been in the National Assembly before him.”