THE 26 new Members of Western Provincial Assembly have officially started duties with increased salaries and allowances.
These increased salary packages were approved in June last year by the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission (PEC) the body which is responsible for our politicians’ entitlements.
Some of the entitlements of the MPAs include a monthly housing allowance of $6000, $3000 for domestic allowance, $5000 for international clothing allowance, $7000 for medical expenses allowance, $15,000 education allowance and $5000 monthly transport allowance.
This transport allowance is to meet MPAs’ transport costs within their respective provinces for provincial assembly meetings, executive meetings, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meetings, MPGIS/Project organized meetings and workshops as well as other provincial business expenses.
The MPAs will also receive $80,000 quarterly as Ward Touring Allowance.
Subsistence allowances for Assembly meetings for every MPA and executive meetings stand at $350 across the board.
Sitting allowance also remains the same at $350 per sitting.
The MPAs End Term Allowance (Once per life of Assembly) sits at $ 70,000.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
