The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has approved a new remuneration package for political and public office holders at the local government and development centre levels.
The new package puts the monthly pay of a local government chairman at ₦450,000, while the vice chairman will receive ₦400,000.
Supervisors will receive ₦230,000 monthly, while the secretary will earn ₦240,000. Special assistants to local government chairmen will receive ₦165,000.
The Assembly also approved new remuneration for legislative and development centre officials under Schedule C.
A legislative leader will receive ₦300,000 monthly, while the deputy leader will earn ₦250,000. Councillors will receive ₦230,000.
The development centre coordinator will receive ₦277,000, while a management committee member will earn ₦226,000 monthly.
The lawmakers passed a bill seeking to amend Schedules A and C of Law No. 004 of 2008, as amended in 2015, during plenary on Wednesday at the Legislative Complex along Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki.
The sitting was presided over by the Speaker of the Assembly, Moses Ije Odunwa.
The proposed amendment followed a letter from Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to the House requesting changes to the existing remuneration structure for various officials working at the grassroots level.
During the debate on the bill, the House Leader, Kingsley Ikoro, explained that the constitutional powers of the state legislature included making laws concerning the structure and administration of local government councils.
The lawmakers later resolved to go into a Committee of the Whole to review and adjust the provisions of the bill before returning to plenary.
After the review, the Speaker announced the new monthly remuneration approved for the affected officials under Schedule A.
The law being amended regulates aspects of the administration of local governments and development centres in Ebonyi State.
Following the consideration of the revised provisions, Ikoro moved a motion for the bill to be passed. The motion was supported by the member representing Ikwo North Constituency, Ifeanyi Nwakpu.
The bill was subsequently passed through a voice vote, with the lawmakers unanimously supporting its passage.
The Speaker then directed the Clerk of the House, Edene Uche Blessing, to formally communicate the Assembly’s decision to Governor Nwifuru.
The passage comes amid the state government’s efforts to review the administration and welfare structure at the grassroots level.
The Speaker also commended the governor over his administration’s approach to the welfare of public office holders and grassroots governance.
The Assembly further stated its readiness to continue working with the executive arm of government on policies connected to the state’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda.
The plenary was later adjourned to another legislative day following a motion moved by the House Leader and seconded by Aloysius Nwodo, who represents Ebonyi North West Constituency.
