Touched by the plight of the majority of Nigerians, members of the House of Representatives, on Thursday, agreed to cut their salaries by 50 percent for six months.
The salary, according to the lawmakers will be part of their solidarity and sacrifice to support the economic hardship and hunger currently confronting Nigerians.
This decision followed the adoption of an amendment to a motion’s prayer moved by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, on the need for lawmakers to sacrifice 50% of their N600,000 monthly salaries to support Nigerians against the backdrop of the hardship and hunger in the land.
Kalu’s prayer was an amendment to a motion by Rep Isiaka Ayokunle urging proponents of the planned nationwide protests to jettison the idea and rather engage the government in dialogue.
Kalu said the salary cut will be channeled to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to address the rising cost of foodstuffs in the country with the view to cushioning the effects of the hardship confronting Nigerians.
By slashing their salaries by 30%, the 360 members of the House of Representatives will be sacrificing N108 million monthly for the next six months.
The lawmakers adopted the motion before refering it to the committees on Humanitarian Affairs, Finance and Budget for compliance.
