National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The House of Representatives has denied media reports that members of the Green Chamber received N100 million as palliatives from the executive arm of government.
The spokesperson of the House, Akin Rotimi, in a statement issued Wednesday, said the clarification became imperative following the media reports credited to the National Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Christopher Onyeka, who claimed that the Executive arm had given N100 million to National Assembly members as palliatives.
He described the report as baseless and devoid of any factual accuracy.
According to him, “Transparency and truth in public discourse are necessary for a functioning democracy. While we doubt that Mr. Onyeka was actually conveying the official position of the NLC on this claim, it is nonetheless important to correct such misinformation.”
Rotimi said the House considered it irresponsible and most unfortunate that Onyeka would mis-represent facts in a bid to lend credence to otherwise valid demands of the NLC, while seeking to denigrate the National Assembly and inciting the public against the institution.
He said: “We state categorically that Mr. Onyeka lied in his claim that National Assembly members were given N100 million as palliatives.
“For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did members of the House of Representatives receive any money from the Executive arm as palliatives. We, therefore, consider this statement as malicious, irresponsible and in bad faith.
“We consider it irresponsible and most unfortunate that Mr. Onyeka would mis-represent facts in a bid to lend credence to otherwise valid demands of the NLC, while seeking to denigrate the National Assembly, and inciting the public against the institution.”
To this end, the House demanded an immediate retraction of this “lie” and a public apology from the NLC.
The spokesperson stressed that the NLC as a critical stakeholder in the development of Nigeria has a voice and it risks delegitimising that voice if it was found to include fables in its legitimate agitations.
Rotimi reminded the NLC and indeed all Nigerians that in less than 100 days in the tenure of the 10th Assembly, it has demonstrated its commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers and all Nigerians.
He added that the House speedily carried out requisite legislative action on the Executive arm of government’s request for approval of funds for palliatives for Nigerians.
Rotimi emphasised that the legislative arm has also consistently advocated for the Executive to expedite these palliative measures to reach vulnerable Nigerians effectively and efficiently, as well as added their voices to the call for an immediate review of the minimum wage.
It said: “We wish to invite the NLC to see the National Assembly as partners rather than adversaries. The 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives wishes to reassure Nigerians that we remain committed to advancing the wellbeing of our constituents.”
The House noted that it empathised with all Nigerians on account of the pains being experienced due to the impact of the removal of the fuel subsidy, and would continue to compel the Executive to expedite measures to alleviate the pains of Nigerians at this time, and more importantly work with all stakeholders to rebuild the country to ensure no Nigerian is left behind.
(This Day)
