The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has approved a new remuneration structure for local government and development centre officials in the state. The approval was made during plenary on Wednesday at the Legislative Complex, Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki. The new structure was presented to the House by Speaker Moses Ije Odunwa, who said it concerned the remuneration of public and political office holders at the local government and development centre levels.
The amendment Bill, which revises Schedules A and C of the Ebonyi State Local Government Councils and Development Centres Regulations and Remunerations for Public and Political Office Holders Law No. 004 of 2008, as amended in 2015, was passed unanimously. Schedule A covers the remuneration of Local Government Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Supervisors, Secretaries and Special Assistants to Chairmen, while Schedule C covers Legislative Leaders, Deputy Leaders, Councillors, Development Centre Coordinators and Management Committee Members.
The Leader of the House, Kingsley Ikoro, led the debate on the Bill, saying the constitutional powers of the Assembly covered legislation on the structure and administration of local government councils. He said the Bill aimed to review the remuneration schedules applicable to the affected officials. Following the debate, the House dissolved into a Committee of the Whole to scrutinise and fine-tune the provisions.
The revised Schedule A approved ₦450,000 for chairmen, ₦400,000 for vice chairmen, ₦230,000 for supervisors, ₦240,000 for secretaries and ₦165,000 for special assistants to chairmen. Under Schedule C, legislative leaders will receive ₦300,000 monthly, deputy leaders ₦250,000, councillors ₦230,000, development centre coordinators ₦277,000 and management committee members ₦226,000.
Speaker Odunwa commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for his commitment to improving the welfare of the people and strengthening grassroots administration. He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to working with the Executive to advance the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda. The Bill was moved by Ikoro and seconded by the member representing Ikwo North State Constituency, Ifeanyi Nwakpu.
The Speaker put the motion to a voice vote, and the Bill was unanimously passed. The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Edene Uche Blessing, to communicate the passage of the amendment Bill to Governor Nwifuru. The plenary was adjourned to another legislative day. The new remuneration structure is expected to take effect immediately.
The approval of the new remuneration structure is seen as a boost to the welfare of local government and development centre officials in Ebonyi State. The increased monthly allowances for council chairmen, councillors, and other officials are expected to enhance their performance and motivation. The development is also expected to strengthen grassroots administration in the state.
Key points
- The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has approved a new remuneration structure for local government and development centre officials, with council chairmen to receive ₦450,000 monthly.
- The new structure, which was passed unanimously, aims to review the remuneration schedules applicable to the affected officials.
- The approval is seen as a boost to the welfare of local government and development centre officials in Ebonyi State.
