I receive N750,000 as salary, says Senate President Ahmad Lawan

New  Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday, said that contrary to insinuation, no member of the National Assembly receives jumbo pay.

Lawan who spoke when he hosted the executive members of the Senators ’Forum in his office noted that the talk about senators and members of the House of Representatives receiving jumbo pay is not true.

Insisting that he is not receiving any jumbo pay, the Senate President said that his monthly take-home salary is N750,000.

He explained that funds are also provided to run his office.

He said, “We owe Nigerians everything. The National Assembly is going to be open to the public. I believe that the National Assembly will throw everything open to the public. Let Nigerians know what we are doing but one thing I want to emphasize here is that I don’t believe in anything called jumbo pay to the National Assembly.

"Members both in the Senate and the House receive what is their salary. I receive N750,000 as my salary but I need to function as a senator. My office needs to be properly funded. Therefore I cannot conduct my oversight without some funding.

"So I believe that Nigerians need to understand this. We need to continue to explain to Nigerians and I will also urge you to explain to Nigerians because they need to be kept abreast with happenings in the National Assembly.

"They deserve to know how their resources are being utilized and this is what we will continue to do. I believe that the National Assembly needs proper funding because the legislature is so critical to any development. When an institution is going to legislate on almost everything under the sun they should have the best and Nigerians should have the best outcome."

On the submission of the budget, Lawan noted that early presentation of the budget will give the National Assembly the opportunity to pass the budget within three months.

He said: “We don’t have any doubt. We know the challenges. We will work hard to solve the challenges. We will pass the budget in three months. All we require is for the Executive to submit the budget on time, at least September or first October.

“If that happens and we get it, we will pass the budget before Christmas. We need to return to the January to December budget circle.”