September 13, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives has denied reports that its members received N100 million each as palliatives.
THEWILL reports that the National Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Christopher Onyeka, had, on Tuesday, told Punch that each member of the National Assembly received N100 million as palliative from the executive arm of Government.
Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Akin Rotimi, in a statement on Wednesday, described the claim as baseless, malicious, irresponsible and devoid of any factual accuracy.
“We state categorically that Onyeka lied in his claim that National Assembly members were given N100m as palliative,” he said, adding that transparency and truth in public discourse were necessary for a functioning democracy.
Rotimi, who said the House of Reps demands an immediate retraction of “this lie and a public apology from the NLC,” however, expressed doubt if Onyeka was conveying the official position of the NLC on the claim.
He said at no time did members receive any money from the executive arm as palliatives.
“It was most unfortunate that Onyeka would misrepresent facts in a bid to lend credence to otherwise valid demands of the NLC while seeking to denigrate NASS and incite the public against the institution.
“The NLC, as a critical stakeholder in the development of Nigeria, has a voice and it risks delegitimising that voice if it is found to include fables in its legitimate agitations.
“We wish to remind the NLC and indeed all Nigerians that in less than 100 days in the tenure of the 10th Assembly, we have demonstrated our commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers and all Nigerians.
“In addition to other measures, the House of Reps speedily carried out requisite legislative action on the executive arm of government’s request for approval of funds for palliatives for Nigerians,” he said.
Rotimi said the House had consistently advocated for the executive to expedite the palliative measures to reach vulnerable Nigerians effectively and efficiently.
“The House had also added its voices to the call for an immediate review of the minimum wage while urging NLC to see NASS as partners rather than adversaries.
“The House remained committed to advancing the wellbeing of Nigerians while empathising with them on account of the pains being experienced due to the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy,” he added.
