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Barring any last-minute change, members of the National Assembly, NASS, may end up having more than 2, 563 legislative aides at a time Nigerians are demanding a reduction in the cost of governance to survive the current economic crisis.
According to the Act, each of the lawmakers, excluding principal officers, is entitled to five aides.
The number comprises one senior legislative aide, two legislative aides, a personal assistant and secretary.
The Act provides a different number of aides for the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The office of the Senate President is entitled to 45 appointees, Deputy Senate President, 30, House Speaker, 33, Deputy Speaker, 15, and Principal Officers, 10 each
The Senate and House of Representatives have eight principal officers each, making it 16 for both chambers.
The financial implication of this on the nation’s finances has been on the increase as the lawmakers sometimes exceed the numbers approved by the NASS Act.
For instance, then-Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, revealed that a whopping N12 billion had been expended on 2,563 legislative aides during his time.
Peoplesmind
