Sun News Editorial, First Published on May 18th, 2015 – It is not in contention that high cost of gove rnance in the country is capable of putting democracy, and indeed, the economy at grave risk. Undoubtedly, that is one of the big challenges that the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari will grapple with.
It will be recalled that public outrage had in the past greeted jumbo allowances paid to federal lawmakers. That outcry still persists. For instance, it is estimated that National Assembly consumes no fewer than 3 percent of the Federal Budget, according to a figure quoted by Senator-elect, Ben Bruce. In 2011,former Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said that about 25 percent of federal government overheads was spent on allowances of lawmakers. By every account and by all standards, the allowances enjoyed by political office holders are unjustifiable and had pushed up the cost of governments to unacceptable heights, and therefore, requires immediate review. Read More….
