The 360 members of the House of Representatives have resolved to donate their two months salary to the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has announced.
The two-month salary donation, the Speaker said, will be independent of the contributions by individual lawmakers to alleviate the hardship that their constituents face at this time of national emergency. He said that starting from March salary, the lawmakers’ donation will be transferred directly to the National Relief Fund account for the fight against COVID-19, the Speaker also said.
In a video message to Nigerians as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gbajabiamila said:
“We have in the House of Representatives jointly committed to contributing one hundred per cent (100%) of our salaries for the next two months to the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria.
Our contribution will support provisions for the welfare of frontline medical professionals and health workers, and other interventions to provide for the wellbeing of all Nigerians through these trying times.
Accordingly, I have directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to see to it that all members’ salaries are transferred to the National Relief Fund for this month and the next.
This is independent of ongoing individual efforts by members to alleviate the suffering brought on by this virus and to improve the living conditions of citizens in their various constituencies”.
The Speaker added that the House would exercise its oversight power to ensure faithful administration of all emergency funds and contributions made so far to ensure they serve the purpose for which they were intended.
