NEWS
RMAFC Denies Approval Of 114% Salary Increment, Says Awaiting Approval
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has refuted reports claiming that it has approved a 114 percent increment in salaries for politicians, judicial, and public office holders.
Christian Nwachukwu, the commission’s Public Relations Officer, clarified in an exclusive conversation with LEADERSHIP newspaper that President Tinubu has not given any approval for raising the remunerations of public servants.
During the presentation of the reviewed remuneration package to Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, a federal commissioner representing RMAFC Chairman Mohammad Shehu, reportedly made statements implying the implementation of the revised remuneration packages from January 1, 2023.
However, the commission’s spokesperson strongly denied these claims.
In response to the report, the spokesperson stated that neither the chairman nor himself had made any statements regarding the matter.
He said “Not my chairman. Not my chairman. My chairman has never made any statement on it. And I have not made any statement on it. No statement from the chairman, no statement from me. So, I don’t know. I heard one of the commissioner’s say it. I don’t want to be quoted.
“No approval yet; there is no approval yet. I don’t know the source of that story. Everything is under process. It has to come as a bill for Mr President to accent.
The president has not given assent. Until the president gives assent, you cannot take it as if it has taken effect. You know that. You are a journalist.
The commission’s spokesperson reiterated the fact that the President has not given his assent to the proposed salary increment. He emphasized that the matter is still under process and awaiting further action.
When asked about the involvement of the National Assembly, he mentioned that the proposal would be sent to the National Assembly.
He said “it will be sent to the National Assembly. Whichever way, whether it has been sent or not the president has not assented to it. All those legislative processes have to be completed; finally, it will land on Mr President’s table for assent. That has not been completed.”
A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi yencountered a “hard landing” on Sunday.
According to report, the incident took place near Jolfa, a city situated on the border with Azerbaijan, within Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran.
However, details regarding the incident were not disclosed.
The Associated Press noted uncertainty regarding whether bh Raisi was onboard the helicopter during the incident.
Despite rescue efforts, adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind, have hindered access to the site, according to state TV.
Before the helicopter incident, President Ebrahim Raisi had been in Azerbaijan on Sunday to participate in the inauguration of a dam alongside Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
This dam marks the third joint construction project between the two nations on the Aras River.
Despite Iran’s diverse helicopter fleet, obtaining parts is hindered by international sanctions, with much of its military air fleet dating back to pre-1979 Islamic Revolution era.
Raisi, aged 63, is known for his hard-line stance and previously served as the country’s judiciary leader.
Considered a protégé of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, some analysts speculate that Raisi could succeed the 85-year-old leader in the event of his resignation or demise.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.
According to him, the plot, involving both foreigners and Congolese citizens, unfolded in the early hours outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe in the Gombe district, close to the president’s offices at the Palais de la Nation.
General Sylvain Ekenge announced on national television that the defence and security forces had successfully thwarted the coup attempt.
He said “An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces. The foreigners and Congolese…including their leader” would “all no longer cause any harm”.
Shots were heard near the Palais de la Nation during the attempted coup, as confirmed by various sources.
General Ekenge didn’t elaborate further on the incident, and AFP’s attempts to get additional information from official sources remain unanswered.
However by late morning, the city appeared calm.
Early social media reports suggested an armed attack on Kamerhe’s residence, with some assailants heading towards the Palais de la Nation.
“This morning, there was an armed attack at the residence of the economy minister,” wrote Japan’s ambassador Hidetoshi Ogawa on X.
He stated that Kamerhe “was not harmed, but two policemen and an assailant were killed according to sources.”
France’s ambassador reported hearing automatic weapons fire in the area and advised French nationals to steer clear of the location.
Videos circulating on social media depicted individuals in military attire at the Palais de la Nation, waving flags of Zaire, the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the regime of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was ousted in 1997.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed all transition committee chairmen in the state’s 21 local government areas.
This decision was detailed in a letter titled “Expiration of Tenure and Handover to Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs),” dated May 17, 2024, and signed by Collins Nwabunwanne, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs.
According to the letter, the directive will be effective starting Monday, May 20, 2024.
The letter read, “Following the expiration of your tenure as Transition Committee Chairman, you are hereby directed to handover the affairs of your Local Government Council to the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), in your respective Local Government Councils.
“This directive takes effect from Monday, 20th day of May, 2024. Thank you for your service to the state. All replies to be addressed to the Honourable Commissioner.”
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