*Passes bill to prescribe salaries, allowances of judicial officers
WorldStage Newsonline– The Senate on Wednesday stood down the 2024 FCT Supplementary Budget of N98.5 billion, over lack of details on projected revenue and expenditure in the budget document presented to lawmakers.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti) had presented the proposed estimate without a detailed break down of the expected revenue and expenditure.
Opeyemi in his presentation, said the bill was read for the first time on May 15.
He said the FCT 2024 supplementary budget was to consolidate on the magnitude and scope of ongoing projects simultaneously within the city center and across six area councils.
This, he said, was to ensure the Renewed Hope Mantra for a befitting capital city for Nigeria and Nigerians was achieved accordingly.
Contributing, Sen. Ede Dafinone (APC- Delta) and Sen. Sani Musa (APC-Niger) raised concerns over lack of details on the budget document presented to the lawmakers.
Musa specially said the budget document did not indicate how revenue was generated and utilised in the previous budget.
He said details of budget performance of previous budget was not also captured in the supplementary budget.
President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio acknowledged non inclusion of the budget details.
However,when the budget was put to a voice vote, the “nays” were loudest but Akpabio did not hit the gravel.
Opeyemi, thereafter, explained that Chairman of Senate Committee on FCT Sen.Ibrahim Bomai had details of the budget but the details was not part of the lead debate that was given to him to present at plenary.
Following his explanation, the budget was stood down to allow for provision of details going forward
BILL TO PRESCRIBE SALARIES, ALLOWANCES OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS
The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill seeking to prescribe improved salaries, allowances and fringe benefits of judicial office holders in Nigeria.
This followed the adoption of a report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters at plenary.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the committee, Sen. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno) said that stakeholders at the public hearing of the bill were unanimous in their support for its passage.
Monguno said that the purposes of the bill were sacrosanct to the justice sector reform initiative of the present administration.
He said that the bill was in consonance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the standing rules of the senate.
According to him, the proposed legislation is apt and timely, as the increase in remuneration of judicial office holders is long overdue, in light of the present economic realities and high inflation in the country.
He said that the bill was quite innovative, as aside the increment in the basic salary, it also took cognisance of certain peculiarities of the administrative structure and operation of the judiciary.
“Generally, the bill, if passed will birth an appropriate and commensurate remuneration that will ensure judicial independence and integrity.
“No doubt, adequate remuneration will allow judicial officers to focus on their professional development without worrying about financial constraint.
“Hence, it will improve their professionalism and decision making skills, and fair compensation for judicial officers is crucial for maintaining public trust in judiciary’s impartiality and integrity.
“When Judges are adequately compensated, it demonstrates a commitment by society towards the important role they play in upholding justice,” Monguno said.
He said that the increase in remuneration for judicial office holders was essential to attract and retain highly qualified and experienced professionals, who possessed the necessary skills, knowledge and integrity to serve on the bench.
“Certainly, the bill, if passed will give financial security to retired judicial officers, after years of dedication in the profession and allowing them to remain comfortable during their retirement,” the chairman said.
He said that the increment under consideration, had been captured in the 2024 Appropriation Act.
