By Jonas Odocha
There are indications that many states of the federation are in arrears with regard to payment of salaries of their workforce. This is indeed scandalous and paradoxical when viewed against the backdrop that Nigeria is paraded as the strongest economy on the African continent, having overtaken South Africa. Our thoughts and sympathy must reach out to all the affected citizens in this unfortunate situation.
When you put yourself in the shoes of these workers you will then understand what it means to be without income for months on end! Nigerians should begin to ask themselves some pertinent questions and demand that citizens must no longer be taken for a ride. In any given fiscal year, budgets both capital and recurrent, are proposed, presented and approved for implementation.
If indeed we are honest with our budgets and budgeting, then it is inconceivable that workers’ recurrent budget for upwards of six to seven months in one calendar year of 12 months could be outstanding! Obviously something serious must be wrong somewhere along the line, but in our characteristic “anything goes” attitude, this trend had been going on over time unchallenged and unchecked!
One clear message that this scenario presents is that budgeting in our context is a mere ritual that allows the “powers that be” to use state funds as they so desire. Inability to pay salaries when due is also an indication that most of our states are NOT VIABLE since they cannot generate revenue internally, in the dwindling of the “Abuja monthly handouts.” We shall continue to delude ourselves as long as we keep on playing the ostrich, refusing to accept that this unwieldy 36-state structure is an albatross hanging on our neck.
But in the face of this sordid salary arrears brouhaha, have we asked why SECURITY VOTES of these states, which amount can defray the payment of most of these workers, have never been in contention? Yet we all know that these VULGAR, HUMONGOUS, PERSONALISED and SECRETIVE SECURITY VOTES have neither addressed security issues nor been slashed in the interest of the people.
Just as we are lamenting the plight of our fellow citizens who have been without salaries for several months, our newspapers are inundated with headlines of JUMBO ALLOWANCES AND SALARIES being prepared for our LAW MAKERS awaiting their return from their “inauguration break.” All shades of opinion and comments have been expressed in the social media and other media condemning some of these allowances and putting the blame on the law makers. Let me state that over the years the remuneration of our law makers has been an issue which Nigerians, for one reason or the other, decided to treat with levity, probably because aspirants only hoped to succeed and join to enjoy such largesse. I would want to believe that the cacophony accompanying the issue now must have a lot to do with the evident dwindling Nigerian economy.
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But I think it is uncharitable to blame or castigate our law makers for their approved salaries and allowances for the obvious reason that it is not their responsibility to fix or determine their wages. This is the responsibility of the REVENUE MOBILIZATION ALLOCATION AND FISCAL COMMISSION [RMAFC]. What I had expected Nigerians to do is to demand from this institution the RATIONALE or JUSTIFICATION for their determination of the salaries and allowances of our law makers, considering the fact that some of these law makers are also drawing pensions and allowances from previous government engagements. Most Nigerians are peeved by some of the allowances enumerated, like WARDROBE, CONSTITUENCY, FURNITURE, PERSONAL AIDES etc which most people find bizarre or inexplicable with regard to attached monetary values.
But we must applaud the current reaction to this matter as expressed by our law makers and other government functionaries. They have indicated a willingness to review downwards these emoluments in view of the economic realities of today. Some governors have downsized the ministries in their states and some have halved their emoluments to address the high cost of governance in Nigeria. The Irish have a saying that: WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN, PLANT MORE POTATOES. For us in Nigeria: WHEN THE OIL REVENUES ARE DOWN, REVIEW THE COST OF GOVERNANCE. This is the way we should go. Positive change is looking at issues and making a strong effort to redress them for the better. Change is not the responsibility of any one individual but collectively we should all be CHANGE AGENTS FOR A BETTER NIGERIA!!!
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