Buhari Cuts Down His Own Salary and Allowances

Indications have emerged that in fulfillment of his campaign promise to reduce the cost of governance in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari have already concluded plans to first slash his own salary as well as other emoluments that comes to the office of president.

Buhari expects Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and all his political appointees to do the same.

There is however no information yet as to what percentage of Buhari’s salary and emoluments will be slashed. But it was reliably learnt that the President would also reduce State House budget.

Other areas being considered by the President included

appointment of aides and the possibility of implementing the Stephen Oronsaye-led Presidential Committee report on the Rationalisation and Restructuring of FG Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies.

Buhari, had on Tuesday sought the approval of the National Assembly to appoint 15 special advisers, unlike former President Goodluck Jonathan, who had 23 special advisers and scores of special assistants.

Buhari, who in his inaugural speech, said the Nigerian economy was in deep trouble, might not increase the number of special advisers from 15 as part of the measures to cut down cost of governance.

A top member of the APC, who spoke Punch, said that the President had also concluded plans to submit some bills to the National Assembly for the implementation of some of these cost-saving measures.

It may be recalled that former President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration had made a provision of N348, 342,741 as its proposal for honorarium and sitting allowance for the State House in the 2015 budget.

The breakdown of the expenditure on travel and transport showed that the president will be spending N1,306,834,350 on local travels and transport and the sum of N621,067,913 on international travel.

For food stuff/catering supplies, a provision of N142,472,537 was made for the office of the president.

The 2015 budget proposal included a provision of N131,911,315 for fuel and lubricants for the State House. The breakdown showed that plant/generator fuel will consume N35,344,855; motor vehicle fuel will consume N85,843,802 while cooking gas/fuel will consume N10,102,858.

For 2014, the State House received lesser provision of N122,855,267 for fuel and lubricants. This was broken down into motor vehicle fuel, N79,950,407; plants and generators, N33,476,963 and cooking gas/fuel cost, N9,427,898.

A provision of N60,847,647 was made for the office of the president for advertisement and publicity.

For State House, N287,514,283 provision was made for welfare packages; N174,537,975 for refreshment and meals; N215, 635,715 for food stuff and catering services; N31,582,475 for medical expenses; and N35,495,233 for publicity and advertisement. 

All these provisions are likely to be reviewed downwards by President Buhari.