The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has called upon the 36 states’ Houses of Assembly to expedite the process of amending relevant laws.

The purpose of these amendments is to create provisions that would allow for an upward revision of the remuneration packages for political, judicial, and public officers.

Muhammadu Shehu, the Chairman of RMAFC, made this appeal during the presentation of the reviewed remuneration package reports to Dr. Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi State, in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

Once the State Houses of Assembly complete their work, the implementation of the revised remuneration packages for political, public, and judicial officers can commence according to a report by NAN.

During a courtesy visit at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, the report was presented to the governor by the Federal Commissioner, Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, who represented the Chairman of RMAFC.

Notably, Tanko-Ayuba is originally from Kebbi State. Shehu, the Chairman, emphasized that this action was in accordance with the provision stated in Paragraph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Government, as amended.

He said, “It empowers the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators and the holders of the offices mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Shehu highlighted that the most recent review of remuneration took place in 2007, leading to the enactment of the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008.

He said “16 years after the last review, it is imperative that the Remuneration Packages for the categories of the office holders mentioned in relevant Sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) should be reviewed.

“Pursuant to the above, Your Excellency may please recall that on Wednesday, 1st February, 2023, the Commission held a one-day zonal public hearing on the review of the remuneration package simultaneously in all the six (6) geo-political zones of the country.

“The aim of the exercise was to harvest inputs/ideas from a broad spectrum of stakeholders,” He added.

The chairman explained that the commission had evaluated and revised the remuneration packages based on a combination of subjective and objective criteria as outlined in the reports.

He noted “The subjective criteria reflected the various expression by stakeholders through memoranda received, opinion expressed during the zonal public hearings and responses to questionnaires administered.

“The objectives of the criteria were obtained from analysis of macro-economic variables particularly the Consumer Price Index (CPI),”

Additionally, Shehu emphasized that the commission adhered to certain principles during the review process, including equity and fairness, consideration of risks and responsibilities, adherence to the national order of precedence, and the promotion of motivation and tenure of office.

Regarding the economic impact of the review, Shehu announced that the remuneration of political, public, and judicial office holders in the country had been adjusted upward by 114%.

He also mentioned that in terms of allowances and fringe benefits, the commission recommended maintaining the existing allowances at their current levels.

He listed the allowances to include, “Professional Development Assistant: This is to allow for the provision of two law clerks to all judicial officers in the country.

“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.

“Restricted or Forced Lifestyle: This is to take care of the nature of the lifestyle of judicial officers while in active service.”

Shehu further informed that the commission recommended January 1, 2023, as the effective date for implementing the revised remuneration packages.

During the presentation, Governor Idris, accompanied by his deputy, Abubakar Tafida, Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammadu Ankwai, Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Umar Abubakar, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Yakubu Tafida, Head of Service, Safiyanu Bena, and Chief of Staff, Attahiru Maccido, were all present.