Ben Bruce, BudgIt exchange words over NASS salary

Senator representing Bayelsa State, Ben Murray-Bruce and BudgIT, a Nigerian civil society organization, on Monday, engaged in war of words over the National Assembly salary.

Sen. Bruce queried Nigerian leaders who exploit citizens with exorbitant budgets for their personal use.

He wrote on his twitter handle: “For too long, Nigeria’s leaders have thought about the next election instead of the next generation. That is why our recurrent expenditure is huge and our capital expenditure is small and why their budgets build their cronies wallets instead of building infrastructure for masses.

“I told my constituents what I earn and publicly shared my FULL allowance with widows. Google it. You are Nigerians. You have Senators representing you. Ask them what they earn. They have a responsibility to you. I have a responsibility to my constituents.”

Reacting to Bruce’s tweet, BudgIt asked the senator to disclose his salary publicly as change in NASS budget should start with him.

“We can support you. Our #OpenNASS campaign is geared towards this. NASS Budget shows huge overhead costs paid to lawmakers. However, please do us a little favour. How much have you earned since your period in NASS?

“Please note that N125bn is mainly part of RECURRENT EXPENDITURE. He is a public officer. We have a right to ask him questions. Change can start from him as his salaries and overheads are also part of recurrent expenditure.

“Please start by fully disclosing how much you earn. The National Assembly’s budget is 10 times that of an average Nigerian University.”

Bruce further responding said he had once campaigned on floor of the senate against salary of NASS members but was not supported, hence reason for the outcry.

“Was I the only one who set that salary? When I was fresh at the Senate, I publicly championed a crusade to ask for our wages to be reduced. It would have been good if I had your support then instead of this quip,” Bruce replied BudgIt.