The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has approved a new monthly remuneration package for local government political office holders in the state. The new package was approved following the passage of a Bill amending 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. The bill was considered and passed during plenary, presided over by Speaker Moses Odunwa.
Under the new package, council chairmen in the state will earn N450,000; deputies, N400,000; Secretaries, N240,000, Supervisors, N230,000; Councillors, N230,000; and Special Assistants to council chairmen, N165,000. Those also covered are Legislative Leaders, who will take home N300,000 and Deputy Leaders, N250,000. Development Centre Coordinators will earn N277,000 monthly, and management committee members, N226,000.
Presenting a letter from Governor Francis Nwifuru to the House, Speaker Odunwa said the proposal principally centred on the remuneration schedules for public and political office holders at the local government and development centre levels. The governor's proposal aims to review and amend the remuneration schedules applicable to the affected office holders.
Leading the debate, House Leader Kingsley Ikoro said Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, empowers state Houses of Assembly to legislate on matters relating to the structure and administration of local government councils. He said the bill was specifically aimed at reviewing and amending the remuneration schedules applicable to the affected office holders.
The House thereafter dissolved into Committee of the Whole to enable members to consider and fine-tune the provisions of the bill. This move allows for a thorough examination of the bill's provisions to ensure that the new remuneration package aligns with the needs of local government political office holders.
Speaker Odunwa commended Governor Nwifuru for his commitment to initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of the people and strengthening grassroots administration. He also reaffirmed the Assembly's commitment to working with the Executive to advance the administration's People’s Charter of Needs agenda.
The approval of the new remuneration package is expected to boost the morale of local government political office holders and enhance their performance in their respective roles. The new package will take effect immediately, and the affected office holders will start receiving their new salaries accordingly.
Key points
- The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has approved a new monthly remuneration package for local government political office holders.
- Council chairmen will earn N450,000, while deputies will earn N400,000 under the new package.
- The new package aims to improve the welfare of local government political office holders and enhance their performance.
