Hardship: 50% salary cut renewable after 6 months – Reps

Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Monday said that the 50 per cent salary cut agreed by members of the House to help poor Nigerians over the economic hardship can be renewed after six months.

NewsBand reported that members of the House last week offered to forfeit 50 per cent of their monthly salaries, for the next six months, to buy food items for distribution to Nigerians.

In his address, delivered by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, at the inauguration of the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security, Abbas highlighted the collective efforts to address food insecurity and economic hardship.

He stressed the House’s solidarity with the public, urging patience and discouraging planned protests, which he deemed counterproductive to national development.

Abbas said, “The growing concern over food security in our country resulting from prevailing hike in food prices and the economic challenges we are currently facing as a nation reinforce the urgent need for this gathering.”

He reassured Nigerians of the House’s commitment to addressing food and nutritional issues, alongside supporting the federal government’s initiatives.

The Speaker further reiterated the administration’s commitment to resolving the economic crisis, urging public support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet.

Also, he highlighted the importance of working together to achieve long-term solutions rather than escalating tensions through protests.

He concluded with a call for patience, assuring Nigerians of the House’s relentless pursuit of legislative measures to improve the situation: “We will not rest until you are happy. Please, be patient”.

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