Governor Joseph Monytuil Wejang of Unity State has signed a state’s Emolument Act (Amendment Bill) 2023 into law, effectively increasing the salaries of the state legislature and executive.
The announcement was made on Monday by the chairperson of the Unity State Legislative Assembly Information Committee, Stephen Mawich (SSOA). He said the change in the salary of legislators sees an increase from SSP 85,000 to 760,000.
“This Emolument Act enhances our salaries and provides a framework for the payment of parliamentarians and executives,” he explained. “The salary raise to SSP 760,000 is intended to support lawmakers and executives in carrying out their duties and initiating developments within their constituencies and homes.”
Additionally, commissioners will now receive SSP 800,000.
William Gatluak, the chairperson of the finance committee in the Unity State parliament representing the Other Political Parties (OPP), confirmed the pay rise.
“We thank the governor for signing the Emolument Act which was passed in July. As the legislature, we passed the Act raising our salaries to SSP 760,000 from 85,000, including for the executives,” he said. “The Emolument Act is now part of the law since we sent it to the office of Governor Joseph Manytuil Wejang for signing. We are very pleased that the governor signed the Bill into law on 24 August.”
“In the new Emolument Act, a minister’s monthly salary will now be SSP 900,000 up from 100,000 and commissioners will receive 800,000,” Gatluak added.
He said that with a law in place, their activities are now guided by officialdom.