David Mark wants people to stop talking about legislators’ money

monjola sotubo

June 2, 2015 10:22 AM

Mark made his stance clear on Monday, June 1, 2015, during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) retreat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State when he disagreed with former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu on the issue.

Senate President, David Mark has had enough of calls for the National Assembly to be more open about its budget.

Mark made his stance clear on Monday, June 1, 2015, during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) retreat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State when he disagreed with former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu on the issue.

Ribadu had urged PDP lawmakers-elect, who the retreat was organized for, to disclose their monthly salaries to the public and also cut their budgets.

“The first step, therefore, is to open up the National Assembly by ensuring transparency. Public office is what it is; public. Also, at this critical time of austerity, be champions by slashing your own budget,” Ribadu said.

“My very good friend, Ben Bruce (a senator-elect) has already spoken about this. There are many others already saying it. For you to excel, you must put in extra effort than your colleagues in other parties,” he added.

Mark however took exception to the comments saying that “every time, people will talk about National Assembly budget.”

“Every time, people will talk about National Assembly budget; for Heaven’s sake, unless you would say you have never seen the national budget, it is a public document. The National Assembly budget is there with every other budget,” the Senate President responded angrily according to Punch.

“Our budget is open; what we earn as National Assembly members is open. If anybody wants to receive his salary and donate it, he is free to do so. He does not need to consult us. I think we should not play politics with what is a very serious issue. Our budget is in the open and everybody can see it,” he added.

The Senate President will vacate his position when the 8 National Assembly convenes due to the fact that the PDP is now in the minority after losing most of the legislative seats to the All Progressives Congress in the recently concluded general elections.

monjola sotubo