Ebonyi Assembly Approves New Remuneration For Local Government, Development Centre Officials
The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has approved new remuneration schedules for political and public office holders at the local government and development centre levels in the state.
The amendment affects Schedules A and C of Law No. 004 of 2008, as amended in 2015, known as the Ebonyi State Local Government Councils and Development Centres Regulations and Remunerations for Public and Political Office Holders.
The Bill was considered and passed during Wednesday's plenary session at the Legislative Complex along Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Theophilus Ifeanyi Igwe, the amendment followed a letter from Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru requesting a review of the remuneration schedules applicable to various categories of local government and development centre officials.
Presenting the Governor's letter, the Speaker explained that Schedule A covers the remuneration of local government chairmen, vice chairmen, supervisors, secretaries and special assistants to chairmen.
Schedule C, he said, covers legislative leaders, deputy leaders, councillors, development centre coordinators and management committee members.
Leading the debate on the Bill, the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Ikoro, cited Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as the constitutional basis for the Assembly's legislative responsibility over the structure and administration of local government councils.
The House thereafter dissolved into a Committee of the Whole to scrutinise and fine-tune the provisions of the Bill before returning to plenary.
Following consideration, the Assembly approved the following monthly remuneration under Schedule A:
- Local Government Chairman — ₦450,000
- Vice Chairman — ₦400,000
- Supervisor — ₦230,000
- Secretary — ₦240,000
- Special Assistant to Chairman — ₦165,000
Under Schedule C, the revised monthly remuneration was approved as follows:
- Legislative Leader — ₦300,000
- Deputy Leader — ₦250,000
- Councillor — ₦230,000
- Development Centre Coordinator — ₦277,000
- Management Committee Member — ₦226,000
The Speaker commended Governor Nwifuru for what he described as his continued commitment to initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of public office holders and strengthening grassroots administration.
Rt. Hon. Odunwa also reaffirmed the Assembly's commitment to working with the Executive Arm of Government in advancing the administration's People's Charter of Needs agenda.
The Bill was subsequently put to a voice vote by the Speaker and passed unanimously.
The Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Ikoro, moved the motion for the passage of the Bill, which was seconded by the Member representing Ikwo North State Constituency, Hon. Ifeanyi Nwakpu.
Following the passage, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Edene Uche Blessing, to formally communicate the decision of the Assembly to Governor Nwifuru.
The plenary was thereafter adjourned to another legislative day.
By Geoffrey John Ovuoba
