A constitutional lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and State Governors to slash salaries and allowances of their appointees.
Okpanachi gave the advice in an interview with the NAN on Monday in Abuja.
He noted that a downward review in pay had become compulsory due to the effects of coronavirus on Nigeria’s economy.
Okpanachi also hailed Buhari’s order on Stephen Oronsaye’s report on rationalisation and restructuring of government establishments.
“The president’s directive for the implementation of Oronsaye’s report with a view to pruning down the number of MDAs from 263 to 161 is commendable. I encourage state governments to also take steps towards reducing the number of their NDAs”, he said.
The lawyer also urged the government to harmonise the salaries of various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
Okpanachi condemned the situation where people working in some agencies are paid salaries above their contemporaries.
“There is no explanation for a director in the ministry taking a salary that is far less than what a new entrant in some agencies take,” he added.