 |
| Ben Murray-Bruce |
This is an opinion piece sent to me by an online friend with the pen name Daisy, I hope you find it as interesting as I have. You can also send guests posts to me via [email protected]. It might get published if I like it enough...
Beside the untainted whitish complexion cum dapper Look which
can fool any non-discerning individual and pass him off as a Caucasian, the
name of the media czar reminds one of the famous American actor, Bruce Willis that
raved in the nineties. Interestingly, this Bayelsa indigene, Ben Murray-Bruce has been in the
news lately for different reasons. Since his clinching of the prestigious nay
much-coveted seat in the senate, tweeting about our political scenery has
become one of his favourite hobbies. The problem is not in the rate of churning
out his salvos but the controversy it has generated among Nigerians.
The heckling nature of an average Nigerian is a well-known fact
but I think they should let him take the mantle before condemning him. I mean
give him the benefit of doubt.
The first comment accredited to the debonair businessman
turned politician was his clamor for a slash in the salaries of our higher
chamber representatives. Any well-meaning Nigerian will agree that this is a
call long overdue. Shouldn’t we be jubilant that an in-house personality is
willing to further this cause for us? Alas! My people reason differently …“where has he been all this while?”, “Na lie,
he is seeking cheap publicity”, “let him go sit down, we know their ilk”are
examples of reactions that greeted this suggestion.
It seems preposterous to read such a response to a proposed
solution to a problem Nigerians have whined about for years to no avail. The
obscene pay of legislators exemplifies the leadership class' insensitivity to
the plight of Nigerians.
According to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal
Commission (RMAFC) the body in charge of determining the pay of political
office holders in Nigeria, a Senator gets a total salary plus regular allowances of N12,766,320
per annum. This is outside of other allowances, which are paid annually or once
in four years and when applicable, are: Accommodation N4, 052,800.00, which is
paid annually; furniture allowance N6, 079,200.00 which is paid once in four
years. Also, there is Duty Tour Allowance, DTA (per night), which is N37,000.
Estacode (per night) is $950. Recess allowance is N202,640.00 and severance
gratuity, paid after a successful completion of tenure, is N6,079,200.00. A
Senator could also apply for a car loan of N8, 105,600.00 which must be repaid
before the expiration of his tenure.
A House of Representatives member gets N9, 529,038.06 as
yearly salary and regular allowances. This is outside other allowances, which
include: Accommodation N3,970,425.00; Furniture N5,955,637.50; DTA N35,000;
Estacode $900; Recess N198,521.25 and Severance Gratuity N5,955,637.50. A
Representative can also apply for a car loan of N7,940,850.00.
“The 8th NASS won’t be a rubber stamp. Not while I’m there! I
will expose anybody that dares approach me or my colleagues with Ghana
Must Go!” is another quote from the
debonair senator. You would think such intrepid declaration from a statesman
will spur hope in a nation mired in corruption, right? Wrong! My people have
been blind to the message and decided to go for the messenger’s jugular
instead. He must be an hypocrite to think and say this, many have concluded. Perhaps,
these obnoxious, condescending, self-acclaimed political pundits are planning a
subterfuge for our nascent CHANGE train.
Yes, talk is cheap.
But you can hardly fault a mind that conceives such articulate thoughts as his
and bold enough to express it. See more of his tweets below:
“I am not going to the senate to make money. I have much more
than I need. I’m going to serve God by fighting for the good Nigerians!”
“A governor who can’t pay salaries has no moral right to a
huge convoy or guest houses or to a private jet. Your workers must be your
priority!”
“As far as I’m concerned, until all state workers are paid
their salary, no governor, no commissioner, no SA should collect salary or
allowance!”
“The hottest place in hell should be reserved for Governors
who live large at public expense while workers with children have not been
paid!
“Rich politicians get free pilgrimage, free medical, free
police escort, while those they represent get…. Nothing!!!”
In fact, his observations are so apt that I am tempted to add
GBAM! at the end of each quote.
Before now, the task of checking our leaders’ excesses has been the business of
activists and journalists. Seeing a member of the political class say the home
truth is pleasing. The legislative arm of government in a democratic setting is
as important if not more as the executive. It is imperative that we have more
of his likes in the hallowed chamber to achieve the CHANGE adjured by the
hoi polloi.
I expect that we will give this Bayelsa East senator-elect the
opportunity to serve us, to deliver us from his Oliver Twist colleagues and political
gourmands ready to devour the remnant of our common wealth. Wishful thinking?
Let time be the judge.
