By Austin Ogwuda
Striking workers of the Delta State House of Assembly staff under the umbrella of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, (PASAN) have suspended the strike embarked upon last Wednesday, but with a condition.
The condition, according to an inside source said that the leadership of the House was given four days ultimatum, within which to resolve the impasse that led to the strike, failure which the strike will resume without further notice.
PASAN State Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Edozie and Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Osubor had on the eve of the strike last Tuesday stated the following reasons:
*That Congress earlier this year suspended its strike scheduled for February 28, 2024, following the intervention of the Conference of Speakers and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to allow for full implementation of financial autonomy/payment of CONLESS and establishment of the House of Assembly Service Commission in states that have not passed the law and other issues that affect the legislature.
*That the two weeks appeal given to us by the Speaker to allow Committee set up by His Excellency, the Governor of Delta state, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to work out modalities of payment of CONLESS to staff have since elapsed without any substantial progress. Congress frowns that after the said Committee has been given more than two months to work to fulfill its mandate of payment of CONLESS, it is yet to come up with a decision.
*That Congress views these delay tactics as a ploy to deprive staff their entitlements and a sign that they lack the political will to pay. Congress also expressed her displeasure that the other issues raised at the meeting of March 28, 2024, bordering on training, funding of the DTHA clinic, regularization of casual staff among others are yet to be addressed or given attention after two months.
*That Congress has exercised enough patience, restraint given in the face of the harsh economic downturn, understanding with the speaker and the committee set up by His Excellency the executive governor of Delta state and our patience have run thin.
