FG denies austere package for Ministers

ITRealms:

The Federal Government (FG) has denied tampering with the salaries and allowances of the newly sworn-in Ministers, reports ITRealms.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu in a press statement made available to ITRealms said that such story making around in the media, said no one especially President Muhammadu Buhari has not tampered with the salaries and allowances of the Federal Ministers.

ITRealms recalls that a section of the media has reported that barely three weeks in office, President Muhammadu Buhari shocked the new ministers with poor salaries and austere allowances.

According to the reports, while the substantive minister will earn N2,026,400 annual basic salary($8,514.285), Minister of State is to get N1.8million($7,563.025) per annum. Other  highlights of the conditions as reported include “Estacode Allowance($900 per diem); Duty Tour Allowance(N35,000); Utilities Allowance(Telephone/ Electricity/ Water)–30% of Annual Basic Salary (N607,920); Domestic Staff Allowance(75% -((N1,519,800) of Annual Basic Salary; Medical Facilities (in accordance with NHIS Policy);  Special Assistant (To be provided in kind); Security (To be provided in kind); Air Travel (By Business Class); Newspaper Allowance (15% of  Annual Basic Salary-N303,960).”

But as said by the spokesperson to President Buhari, “They (salaries and allowances) remain as have been prescribed by the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission under a law passed in 2008.”

Garba also noted that the President and the Vice President have voluntarily offered a 50 per cent salary cut, which does not apply to Ministers or other political appointees.

“This is voluntary and does not apply to Ministers and other political appointees,” he declared, insisting that reports to the effect that the President has imposed an austere package on the ministers are unknown to the Federal Government. 

“The administration has not tampered with the salaries of ministers and that remain as prescribed under the law,” Garba maintained. 

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) 
 

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APGA denies purported defection of members to PDP

ITRealms:

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has denied the purported defection of its members to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, reports ITRealms.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Tony Onyima, made this rebuttal in a press statement available to ITRealms, advising APGA especially in Anambra State to ignore such purported decamping.

According to him, the alleged defection was entirely stage managed event in Agulu by another political party.

“This is far from the truth. The said APGA members are members of another political party dressed in APGA clothes. This is clearly another sign of desperation by one of the candidates for the Anambra Central senatorial seat to deceive Ndi Anambra,” he said.

Onyima pointed out that APGA remains strong and united and will not engage in any such deceits.

“As the grassroots party wholly accepted by Ndi Igbo, we urge our supporters to be vigilant this period and not be deceived by such scams,” he said.

Further, Onyima reminded members to vote for all APGA candidates in the forthcoming general elections, and for Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for President.

 

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