The Nigerian House of Representatives has committed to donating N704.91 million to President Bola Tinubu as a relief measure to support vulnerable Nigerians affected by the economic challenges stemming from the removal of fuel subsidies.
The fund, representing half-year salaries of House members, is scheduled to be formally presented to the president on December 31.
This initiative traces back to July 18, when the House resolved to contribute 50% of their salaries for six months to address the dire needs of ordinary citizens. The motion was adopted during a plenary session led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Addressing lawmakers during a plenary on Thursday, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, commended the commitment of his colleagues. “If you recall, about five months ago, we decided to contribute half of our salaries to address the critical needs of the Nigerian people. I am happy to inform you that so far, we have contributed N704,907,578.82,” Abbas stated.
He further emphasized that the donation reflects the House’s dedication to tackling urgent national issues. “On December 31, I will lead a delegation of leadership to hand over the money to the president for the exclusive use of the vulnerable Nigerians who really need it,” Abbas assured.
The initial motion for the salary reduction was championed by Deputy Speaker Kalu, who urged his colleagues to prioritize the needs of struggling Nigerians. “This government is doing its best, but one year is not enough to address the challenges of this country. I want to plead with our colleagues to sacrifice 50% of our salary for a period of six months,” he argued.
The decision aligns with efforts to mitigate public dissent and address the pressing hunger crisis in the nation. Kalu reminded his colleagues, “Our salary is N600,000 a month. I want to plead that we let go of 50 per cent of our salary for a period of six months.”
This gesture underscores the legislature’s efforts to foster goodwill and alleviate the plight of the country’s most vulnerable citizens during challenging times.
