Just three weeks in office, Ministers have been thrown into a state
of disillusion after President Muhammadu Buhari presented them poor
salaries and allowances.
The Ministers were said to be
disappointed by the perk of office by the President even as Buhari also
imposed among others travel restrictions on them.
As regards travels, the only leverage the Ministers will enjoy is the privilege of flying in a Business Class.
These
perks of office were contained in a letter given to them during the
week by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Engr.
Babachir David Lawal.
According to the letter, the SGF said, “I am
pleased to inform you that the President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has appointed you as a Minister in the
Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The appointment
takes effect from 11th November, 2015 under the following Terms and
Conditions of Service as contained in “Certain Political, Public and
Judicial Office Holders(Salaries and Allowances, etc) (Amendment ) Act
2008.”
“I
am to add that your tenure terminates at the end of this Administration
unless otherwise decided by Mr. President. Please accept my heartiest
congratulations and best wishes on your appointment.”
The letter
gave a breakdown of the perk of office the Ministers would enjoy while
they last in the Federal Executive Council, FEC, as:
The
substantive minister will earn N2, 026, 400 Annual Basic
Salary($8,514.285), Minister of State is to get N1.8million($7,563.025)
per annum.
Other highlights of the conditions include: Estacode
Allowance($900 per diem); Duty Tour Allowance(N35,000); Utilities
Allowance(Telephone/ Electricity/ Water)–30% of Annual Basic Salary
(N607,920); Domestic Staff Allowance(75% -((N1,519,800) of Annual Basic
Salary; Medical Facilities (in accordance with NHIS Policy); Special
Assistant (To be provided in kind); Security (To be provided in kind);
Air Travel (By Business Class); Newspaper Allowance (15% of Annual Basic
Salary-N303,960).
The letter added, “As a Political Office
Holder, you must obtain permission from Mr. President before you travel
out of Abuja. If the trip is official, Ministers are entitled to a Duty
Tour Allowance of N35,000 per diem. However, all private journeys will
attract no Allowance.
“Severance Allowance of 300 % of Annual
Basic Salary payable after full tenure of office with government. The
allowance will be pro-rated after a minimum of two years tenure.
It
added: “200 % of Annual Basic Salary (N4,052,800) will be paid to you
to enable you to acquire accommodation of your choice in line with
monetization policy.
“Furniture Allowance, 300 %(N6,079,200) of
Annual Basic Salary will be paid once in every four years. The allowance
will be paid annually at the rate of 75% (N1,519,800) of Annual Basic
salary.
“Motor Vehicle Fuelling Maintenance Allowance, 75% of
Annual Basic Salary (N1,519,800) for the maintenance of your vehicle(s)
as Government no longer provides chauffeur driven vehicles to Political
Office Holders/Public Officers for house to office running.
“Annual
Leave (30 calendar days for each leave year or calculated on pro-rata
basis, with 10% of Annual Basic Salary(N202,640) as leave grant);
Personal Assistant Allowance (25% of Annual Basic salary to enable you
to employ a Personal Assistant of your choice).”
It is true that some of the ministers are not happy with the package as it might not foot their bills.
Source: Daily Post News
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