Parliamentary staff throws weight behind NASS, Assembly Officer 5 years extension

 

Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), a body working in the Federal and State legislature have thrown their weight behind the five years extension for officers of State and Federal Houses of Assembly.

A communique of the association signed by the President and Secretary-General, Mohammed Usman and Hammed Awobifa respectively, after a meeting on Friday said officers’ wealth of experience would be brought to bear on sustained professionalism in the administrative aspect of the legislative houses.

The communique read, “NEC in session supports the five years extension of service years for the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assemblies staff.”

The association also berated speakers of the State Houses of Assembly for not pressuring their state governors to sign the local government autonomy bills.

The NEC said it deliberated on a wide range of issues affecting the welfare of members and the progress of the Financial Autonomy for the Legislature.

At the end of deliberations, the Council commended the National Executive Council (NEC), the Central Working Committee (CWC), and Chapters of the union for their unalloyed support, resilience and steadfastness to the struggle for Financial Autonomy.

“National Executive Council (NEC) in session is displeased at the breach of the Memorandum of Action (MOA) entered with the Governors Forum by the Governors.

“National Executive Council (NEC) in session is disappointed at the Speakers of the Houses of Assemblies lackadaisical attitude for failing to pass the necessary legislation, and for their inability to influence the Governors to sign same and set up necessary apparatus for the proper implementation of the autonomy.

“National Executive Council (NEC) in session frowns at the victimization of our members in Rivers State, whose salaries were slashed for participating in the lawful industrial action as directed by the union and granted by the extant labour laws. NEC, therefore, calls on the Rivers State. Government should refund the slashed salaries,” the communique said.