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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost (18195 Views)
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8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by agwom(m): 5:48pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Senators who served in the immediate past National Assembly received over N73 billion in four years as running cost for their offices without effectively retiring the expenditure, Daily Trust investigations reveal. The amount was part of the N150 billion approved by the 8th National Assembly for senators and members of the House of Representatives as running cost. The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) does not have provision for running cost for members of the National Assembly. Although sections 1709, 1783 and 1796 of the Financial Regulations provide that no further advance would be given unless retirement on previous ones are made, Daily Trust gathered that up to the end of the 8th Senate, the lawmakers did not render account of how they spent the money they received as running cost. It was found that releases for running cost, which were requested through memos addressed to the Senate president, were made to the senators on monthly basis through vouchers. Investigations revealed that then Senate President Bukola Saraki received the highest amount in running cost to the tune of N2,092,038,411.36 in four years. A breakdown indicated that he got a monthly payment of N43,584,133.57 which translated to N523,009,602.84 annually as running cost. He was closely followed by his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, who received N1, 534,862,352 within the same period. He received a monthly running cost of N31, 976, 299 which amounted to N383,715, 588 per annum. Also, the office of then Senate Leader which was initially occupied by Mohammed Ali Ndume, received N1,103,838,402.72 as running cost within the same period. The annual advances for the office stood at N275,959, 600.68 based on a monthly sum of N22,996, 633.39 as running cost. The then Minority Leader, Philip Tanimu Aduda and Chief Whip, Olusola Adeyeye, received N798,969,443.52 each in four years as running cost. Each of them got N16, 645,196.74 monthly and N199,742,360.88 annually within the period in review. Investigations further showed that the remaining five principal officers during the last Senate – deputy Senate leader, deputy chief whip, deputy minority leader, minority whip and deputy minority whip – received N14,717,858.17 monthly each as office running cost which cumulatively amounted to N3,532,265,960.80 in four years. The remaining 99 senators received N13,408,630.7 monthly, amounting to N160, 903,565.40 each. The total sum received by all the 99 senators in four years as running cost stood at N643,614,273.60. Memos/payment vouchers Daily Trust exclusively obtained memos raised by principal officers and other senators to the office of then Senate President Saraki, requesting for office running cost as well as payments advanced to them through vouchers. The lawmakers individually or collectively received payments in respect of requests for running cost through vouchers duly stamped and entered into the National Assembly’s vote book. For instance, in September 2016, a memo was raised for 99 ‘Distinguished Senators’ titled “REQUEST FOR OFFICE RUNNING COST,” for the total sum of N1,327,454,440. A breakdown contained in the request indicated that each of the senators applied for N217,800,000 for local travel; N297,000,000 for international travel; N69,3000,000 for office stationeries; N4,950,000 for books; N4,950,000 for newspapers and N99,000,000 for magazines. Similarly, each of the senators sought approval for the sum of N54,450,000 for printing of non-security documents; N44,550,000 for maintenance of motor vehicle; N54,450,000 for maintenance of IT and computers; N297,000,000 for consulting and professional services general; N99,000,000 for international training; N69,000,000 for local training; N4,950,000 for motor vehicle fuel cost; N49,5000,000 for lubricant cost; N4,950,000 for refreshment and N45,404,440 for postage and courier services. Payment in respect of the requested amounts totalling N1,327,454,440.00 was advanced through a single voucher but it was unclear how the retirements (if any) were made. The voucher was marked: “PV/NASS/SEN/ADV/REC/ADV/2016/10/1047 and its detailed description of service/work read: “Being running cost granted to the office of 99 distinguished senators as 12th payment of 3rd quarter in the month of September 2016 vide relevant minute of approval attached in file no: NASS/SEN/420/12TH/2016 refers.” Checks further indicated that similar requests were made individually by five principal officers of the 8th Senate. A scrutiny of the office running cost for the month of October 2016 indicated that it emanated from Senators Philip Tanimu Aduda, Bala Ibn Na’ Allah, Francis Alimikhena, Emmanuel Bwacha and Biodun Olujimi, indicating that each of them received N14,717,858.17 as office running cost for that month. The breakdown indicated that each of them had proposed to spend the amount as follows: N2,200,000 on local travel; N3,100,000 on international travel; N800,000 on stationeries/office consumables; N100,000 on books; N50,000 on newspapers; N100, 000 on magazines and periodicals; N550,000 on printing of non-security documents; N450,000 on maintenance of motor vehicle and N650,000 on maintenance of office equipment/plant and computers. Other items on the breakdown indicated that the sum of N800,000 was to be spent on local training; N1,100,000 on international training; N2,800,000 on consulting and professional services general; N100,000 on motor vehicle fuel cost; N100,000 on generator/plant fuel cost; N50,000 on lubricant cost N700,000 for refreshment and N50,000 on postage and courier services. The amount requested by each of the principal officers as running cost for that month, totalling N73,589,290.85, was paid through a payment voucher (Treasury F1: PV/NASS/SEN/ADV/REC/ADV/2016/11/1223). The detailed description of service/work on the voucher read: “Being running cost cash granted to the office of the 5 distinguished principal officers as 13th payment for the month of October 2016 vide relevant minute of approval attached in file no. NASS/SEN/420/6/13/16 refers.” In the same vein, the Senate leader, minority leader, and the chief whip of the 8th Senate each received N16, 645,196.74 as monthly office running cost. In one of the vouchers seen by Daily Trust, payments were made following a request they individually made to the Senate president through the chairman, Senate services for the month of October 2016 allocation. The minority leader’s payment was made via voucher: PV/NASS/SEN/ADV/REC/ADV/2016/11/1227 while that of the chief whip was made through voucher: PV/NASS/SEN/ADV/REC/ADV2016/11/1221. For the same month, the Senate leader received payment for his office running cost through voucher: PV/NASS/SEN/ADV/REC/ADV/2016/11/1220. A breakdown of their request for office running cost indicated that the chief whip and minority leader each received N2,800,000 for local travels; N3,200,000 for international travels; N100,000 for internet access charge; N900,000 for stationeries/office consumables; N100, 000 for books; N50,000 for newspapers; N100,000 for magazines and periodicals and N650,000 for printing of non-security documents. Each of them also received the sum of N550,000 for maintenance of motor vehicle; N650,000 for maintenance of office equipment/IT and computer; N800,000 for local training; N1,200,000 for international training; N3,000,000 for consulting and professional services; N250,000 for motor vehicle fuel cost; N150,000 for generator/plant fuel cost; N100,000 for lubricants cost; N100,000 for refreshments; N50,000 for postage and courier services and N995,196.74 for contingency. Although the requests for these office running costs were addressed to the office of the Senate president through the chairman, Senate services, Daily Trust investigations revealed that the payments were not backed by any authority. This is because the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFC), which is the only body recognized by the Nigerian Constitution to fix the salaries and emoluments of political office holders, has no provision for office running cost requested by the senators. The RMAFC had in March 2018 reportedly declared as illegal, the N13.5 million each senator was reportedly collecting as running cost every month. According to the commission, payment of running cost was not covered by the “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) (Amendments) Act 2008” governing emoluments of political office holders in the country. Following this declaration, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had urged the then Senate President Saraki and then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, to “persuade their members to voluntarily return running costs and other allowances collected, and now declared as illegal by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), and to use any returned funds to establish a trust fund to improve investment in education and health.” We accounted for monies collected – Ndume Contacted, former Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume said it was not true that monies paid to senators in the last National Assembly were not retired. “I don’t think senators go away without retiring their running costs. Apart from the office of internal auditors, the National Assembly is also subjected to external auditors,” he said. “Therefore, any money that is being paid to us must be retired and this is the same with any member of the National Assembly. I have retired my own and I always retire whatever amount is advanced to my office,” Ndume said. Asked if details of such retirement could be accessed, Ndume, who lost out in his bid to preside over the 9th Senate, simply said: “It is confidential.” On his part, Yusuf Olaniyonu who served as spokesman to Saraki, simply said: “Go and see the CNA (Clerk of the National Assembly). That is his responsibility.” The Director of Information who also doubles as spokesman of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Emmanuel Agada, said he was not in a position to respond to the issue. “I don’t have the details to respond to your enquiry,” he said in reply to a text message on the matter. Efforts to speak with other principal officers of the last Senate were unsuccessful as their phone lines were either unreachable or calls put across to them were unanswered. They should be held to account -Rafsanjani The Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, has said that lawmakers involved in spending such huge amounts as running cost should be held to account. “Running cost for what?” he asked. “How could they have expended such huge amounts as running cost in an economy that had stagnated? In an economy where poverty is on the rise? Running cost in an economy where many Nigerians are unable to find jobs? Running cost in an economy where heath end education facilities are in a deplorable state? “They should have resources enough to enable them carry out their functions but this must be done according to realistic financial and economic situation,” Rafsanjani said. He said as elected officials, lawmakers must use public resources judiciously in the best interest of the country otherwise it would amount to a betrayal of trust. Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/8th-assembly-saraki-ekweremadu-others-failed-to-retire-n73-5bn-running-cost.html 4 Likes 2 Shares
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Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by NaijaRoyalty(m): 5:52pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
I don't believe this cooked up stories I will never believe anything that comes out of this APC directionless government . Osibanjo's N90 billion and 5.9Billion corrupt allegations Still fresh on our minds and we need answers on what he did with tax payers money . 27 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by HappyPagan: 5:55pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
NaijaRoyalty:You don't need to. Go round Nigeria, you will feel the stories. 37 Likes 5 Shares |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by eTECTIV: 5:57pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Anoda way to distract Nigerians and find a way to bring Saraki as d object of blame... Let d new Assembly investigate and do d needful but in d meantime dey are still planning on spending Billions in buying cars for demselves 19 Likes 1 Share |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by dfrost: 6:37pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
If found guilty, then get them to retire the money and deal with them. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by wunmi590(m): 6:38pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
All Nigerian politicians are all greedy, that's what I can only say. 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by solmusdesigns: 6:38pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Too much wastage in this country, this is legal fraud of the bureacratic and organised nature .. 9 Likes |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by VIPERVENOM(m): 6:38pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
NaijaRoyalty: 38 Likes 4 Shares
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Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by Nobody: 6:38pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Nigeria has the most churches h and mosque in the world. If we fear God all this shiiit won't happen 2 Likes |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by GavelSlam: 6:39pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
NaijaRoyalty: 17 Likes 1 Share |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by sogodihno: 6:39pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
NaijaRoyalty: U can't believe this? But u chose to believe Osibanjo swallowed #90billion even when FIRS has come out to deny the allegation, no wonder your life is like this. Tueh! 48 Likes 8 Shares
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Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by Aonkuuse(m): 6:41pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Wailers will not believe this 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by Brunosamel(m): 6:42pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
God abeg help my zoo country Nigeria..... Even if it is one of your angels that will lead our zoo country.... we are tired of everything nothing.... Oluwa hear my prayers |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by 13october: 6:46pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
NaijaRoyalty:But you believe Timid Frank on Osibanjo. You are 21st century mumu. 30 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by asobo: 6:48pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Why should I believe this vicious journalism. Senator Aduda Philip was never a minority leader as stated in the above nonsense. This is the kind of news the zombies will traffic on to cast aspersion on senators, though I am not saying the are innocent but Bubu is the grand master of corruption you can take it to the bank. 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by texazzpete(m): 6:48pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
These greedy senators are insatiable |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by Chuks9000: 6:49pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Hmmm! Yeye dey smell |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by AroleOduduwa2: 6:49pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Still blaming saraki for their inability 3 Likes |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by SODbaba2(m): 6:50pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
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Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by blackboy2star(m): 6:51pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Will the 9th Senate retire it? Buy them their SUV 5 billion plus first ... |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by Nobody: 6:56pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Both are thieves especially Ekweremmadu. 2 Likes |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by Afamed: 6:56pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Mesujamba. 2 Likes |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by iyatrustee(f): 6:57pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Law making should be on a part time basis and not as lucrative as this! |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by Chukwurah003: 6:59pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
PDP is the world’s largest congregation of criminals 4 Likes |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by Sunnycliff(m): 6:59pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Can they show us that of the presidency too? You don't victimize the Legislature and spare the Executive. They are both criminals. |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by ZombieTAMER: 7:00pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Buhari is a failure Corruption everywhere Death to all Nigerian politicians |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by muykem: 7:01pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
eTECTIV:This high level of foolishness is what is affecting our country. Must you see everything from political sentiments after all the present Senate president and speaker were principal officers then so they were not exempted. 6 Likes 1 Share |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by ZombieTAMER: 7:01pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
Chukwurah003: So you think the presidency is not complicit... Buhari is the king of corruption |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by Odinceblog1: 7:02pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
UNGA74: Buhari Speaks Again, Vows To Tackle Corruption in Nigeria https://odinceblog.com/unga74-buhari-speaks-again-vows-to-tackle-corruption-in-nigeria/ |
Re: 8th Assembly: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Failed To Retire N73.5bn Running Cost by Chukwurah003: 7:03pm On Sep 24, 2019 |
ZombieTAMER: Buhari has never been and will never be corrupt. Rather, Atiku is the father of corruption. 3 Likes 1 Share |
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