TheCable

Senate President Ahmad Lawan says his office needs proper funding as his monthly salary is N750,000.

Lawan spoke when members of “The Senators Forum” paid him a visit at his office on Tuesday.

He said the national assembly needs “proper funding” because the legislature is critical to the development of the country.

“I receive N750,000 as my salary. My office needs to be properly funded and therefore I cannot conduct my oversight without some backing,” he said.

“Nigerians need to understand this. We need to continue relating with Nigerians because they deserve to be explained to. The national assembly needs proper funding because the legislature is so critical in any national development.”

Lawan said the national assembly under his leadership would be open to Nigerians.

“The ninth national assembly is going to be open so Nigerians will know what we are doing. I never believe there is anything called jumbo pay to the national assembly. The national assembly members receive what is their salary,” he said.

The senate president added that the upper legislative chamber is determined to pass budgets within three months.

“We believe this is achievable and doable. We will work with the executives of government to present the appropriation bill in time and maybe at the end of September, the national assembly will sit and work with the MDAs within a specified time frame and process the budget and before we leave for Christmas by December, we will pass the budget,” he said.

“We must ensure that this country moves forward because the economy of Nigeria depends on public expenditure.

“We want to see a budget process that starts and ends within three months that ends December so we go back to January to December cycle.”