Lawmakers’ Salaries Not Enough – Senate President, Akpabio

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has raised concerns about inadequate salaries for members of the National Assembly, pointing to the numerous requests from constituents that the current pay can’t meet.

Speaking on Monday, Akpabio acknowledged the challenges brought about by removing the subsidy on petroleum products but asked the public to be patient as the government works on solutions.

The discussion came in response to a motion by Abdulrahman Kawu Suleiman, Kano South representative, addressing the impending strike planned by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Kawu warned that the strike could severely disrupt transportation, force markets, schools, and healthcare facilities to close, and potentially provoke political tension.

He expressed concerns that the “strike, if not averted, could plunge Nigeria into deeper economic woes” and significantly reduce the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Furthermore, Kawu stressed that a strike would tarnish Nigeria’s international reputation, discouraging foreign business and educational ventures.

Kawu said, “The strike would cripple the country as movement would be severely curtailed as commercial transport operators would withdraw their services, while markets, schools and healthcare facilities would be forced to shut down.

“The strike threat by the NLC, if not averted, could plunge Nigeria into deeper economic woes, dislocate businesses, hunger, frustration, more hardship that would lead to unquantified financial losses and reduce Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“NLC strike is also a bad reputation for the Nigerian economy and the educational system because it portrays the country in a bad light to the external world and discourages foreigners from coming to do business or study in Nigeria”

Following the debate, the Senate tasked its leadership with mediating between the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Federal Government in hopes of preventing the strike.