By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
A socio-political group,Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) worldwide, has advocated for lawmaking business in the country to be on part time basis so that the lawmakers can go into lines of business that will fetch them streams of income to supplement whatever that is made available to them by the government as a token for their political engagements.”
The group said it is a waste of resources to be paying such huge amount of money to lawmakers in the country when the people who elected them cannot boost of even two square meals a day.
In a statement signed by its President, Elder Curtis Eghosa Ugbo, and made available to the media, the group said that it is high time Nigerians charge the system of paying lawmakers huge sums of money for legislative job.
Ugbo said that “the system of government being presently practiced in the country is far too expensive in comparison to some other democratic systems.with the huge amount of money that goes into the sustenance of the day to day running of the National Assembly, states houses of assembly and other political offices,
A situation where lawmakers both at the states and national assembly are living in opulence to the detriment of the people whom they claim to be representing is uncalled for and must be stopped immediately.
“To address this anomaly we want a purpose driven agitation hinged on loyalty and dedication to the work at hand. Then the huge sums that are been allotted to the lawmakers should be slashed and the money that is recovered from this huge bills incurred on the lawmakers should be of good use to accommodate other developmental projects that will surely make the difference as Nigeria moves forward.”
Another suggestion that the BSM is pushing forth is that “henceforth lawmaking business in the country should be on part time basis so that the lawmakers can go into lines of business that will fetch them streams of income to supplement whatever that is made available to them by the government as a token for their political engagements.”
Going further, the BSM said: “On the issue of former governors, deputy governors and the likes enjoying life pension while hibernating in the senate where they are enjoying jumbo salaries the federal government under the anti-corruption sloganeering President Muhammadu Buhari should do a thorough assessment of the issue which is a total waste of resources, anti-people and evil in the sight of God.
“Necessary adjustments should be made in this regard in line with the current reality of global economic meltdown.”
BSM also called on the Inspector General of Police(IGP) Mohammed Adamu to “be mindful of the things he does as it regards policing Nigeria.”
On the issues of #endSARS protesters he said “it is not reasonable for the acclaimed number one crime burster in the country to be continually engaged in irrelevancies to the detriment of the security of the lives and property of Nigerians.
“The Nigeria Police Force face the hydra headed issues of lack of proper training; unavailability of modern security gadgets; poor remuneration; dingy accommodation; unavailability of standard operational vehicles coupled with low morale among several issues.
“Instead of profferring solutions to all these and more the IGP is rather contented with issues of low importance to the security apparatus. These unnecessary diversions no doubt have been the reasons for the upsurge in crime and criminality around the country.”
He also stated “the IGP can not continue to give promotion of ranks to his officers and men who are resident in a dirty environment.”
“We also wholeheartedly support the recent clamour for a total overhaul and reformation of the police in line with what is obtainable elsewhere. We cannot get it right if our resolve is not to grow our security apparatus to the desirable standard.” he concluded.
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