Economic realities will determine salary review, says RMAFC chair

<p>The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mohammed Shehu, has said the commission will do what is best for the country when reviewing the pay for politicians, judges, and public officers.</p>, <p>He spoke to The PUNCH through a telephone conversation.</p>, <p>Earlier, media reports disclosed that the commission approved the increment of salaries of political office-holders, judicial and public office holders by 114 per cent.</p>, <p>According to the commission’s report, a Federal Commissioner in the Commission, Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, made the salary increment remark when she represented RMAFC Chairman, Mohammad Shehu, at the presentation of the reports of the reviewed remuneration package to Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, in Birnin Kebbi.</p>, <p>Tanko-Ayuba reportedly said the implementation of the reviewed remuneration packages were effective from January 1, 2023, a claim that had been strongly denied by the RMAFC Public Relations Officer, Christian Nwachukwu.</p>, <p>The representative of the chairman noted that the move was in accordance with the provision of paragraph 32(d) of part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 constitution of the federal government (as amended).</p>, <p>It was also reported that with respect to the judicial office holders, the commission considered the introduction of three new allowances.</p>, <p>The allowance included “Professional development assistant: This is to allow for the provision of two law clerks to all judicial officers in the country.</p>, <p>“Long service allowance: This is to guarantee seniority/hierarchy between officers who have been on the bench for a minimum of five years and those that are appointed newly.</p>, <p>“Restricted or forced lifestyle: This is to take care of the nature of the lifestyle of judicial officers while in active service.”</p>, <p>RMAFC is saddled with the responsibility of determining the remuneration appropriate for political officeholders, including the President, Vice President, governors, deputy govern