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.
