Members of the Ogun State chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) have protested against the failure of the state government to immediately commence implementation of their much agitated Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS).
PASAN members, who locked the assembly’s gate against the state lawmakers and other government’s functionaries, also declared a three-day warning strike over the failure of the state government to consider their demands.
Speaking to newsmen at the entrance gate of the assembly in Abeokuta, the state capital, PASAN’s State Chairman, Ayotunde Ojediran said their action was targeted at registering their displeasure against the state government’s refusal to listen to their demands.
The PASAN chairman stated that the Governor Dapo Abiodun led administration was yet to comply with the provision of the State Assembly Service Commission Law, 2018- specifically Sections 10(2), 13 and 14, and the Statutory Offices (State Emoluments) Amendment Law, 2018”.
He said the non- compliance had resulted in the non-payment of due salary and allowances to the three most senior officers in the assembly since their respective dates of appointment.
According to Ojediran, the implementation of the CONLESS to staffers in the state assembly and House of Assembly Service Commission would place the workers on the same pedestal with the state judiciary who had been enjoying Consolidated Judicial Salary Structure (CONJESS).
“The union had earlier written a letter to the state government stating all the demands and we issued a 21-day ultimatum to meet the demands but nothing was done till the ultimatum lasted.
“We are at present in negotiation with the state government but as we speak we are yet to reach any meaningful agreement.
“If all these issues are not addressed, it will not be too good for the system . This is an institution but unfortunately people are not enjoying what is due to them.’’
“We are optimistic that before the expiration of the three – day warning strike, the government will do the needful. I know we have a listening governor who is father to all.
Meanwhile, all efforts at getting the reaction of the management of the assembly proved abortive, as neither the clerk of the House nor the Assembly’s Speaker, Hon. Adekunle Oluomo would respond to LEADERSHIP’s inquiries.
