By Austin Ogwuda
SPEAKER of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Dennis Guwor met with the leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN calling for the suspension of the strike action which was commenced yesterday (Wednesday).
The Speaker was however displeased that the strike action concided with the 1st Year anniversary of the governor in office .
According to him, “it was more worrisome that the workers chose to commence the industrial action on the break of the first year in office of the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, when Deltans were celebrating God’s grace upon the state and the milestones achieved by the Governor within just a year”.
The meeting with the Assembly union members was held behind closed doors.
At the end of the meeting, the Chief Press Secretary CPS to the Speaker, Nkem Nwaeke issued a press statement, hereby reproduced verbatim:
“PASAN Industrial Action: Delta Speaker Guwor Meets With Leadership, Appeals To Workers To Call Off Strike.
“Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly has said that the strike action embarked upon by members of the State branch of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN was unfortunate.
“The Speaker stated that it was more worrisome that the workers chose to commence the industrial action on the break of the first year in office of the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, when Deltans were celebrating God’s grace upon the state and the milestones achieved by the governor within just a year.
“He expressed reservations that a section of the Media capitalized on the unfortunate situation to misinform the public.
“He said the issue at stake had nothing to do with owing of salaries as the state government is up to date with payments of salaries of its employees across the various arms of government.
“The Speaker disclosed that the main issue of agitation is the implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Scheme, CONLESS, in Delta State, which centered on enhanced salaries structure for the workers.Guwor noted that the matter is a national issue and that engagement has gotten to an advanced stage for its implementation in Delta State.
“A high powered Committee was set up by His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori to work out modalities for the implementation of CONLESS in the State.
“The Committee which has the Secretary to the State Government, SSG as Chairman, has the State Head of Service, Accountant General of the State, the Private Secretary to the Governor, PSG, the Acting Clerk of the House, the Chairman of the State Chapter of PASAN, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, amongst others as members.
“The Committee has been working assiduously to ensure that its recommendations meet the standard and expectations of all stakeholders.
“The Speaker acknowledged the right of the workers to agitate for enhanced salary package, but advised that they should continue to explore civil means of achieving their aims.
“He said his meeting with the leadership of PASAN earlier in the day was eventful and that he had appealed to them to call off the strike and allow the Committee set up by government on the issue to conclude on its assignment.
“The Speaker thanked Deltans and other stakeholders who had expressed concern over the development and assured that the issue would be resolved as soon as possible.
“I met with PASAN Leadership this morning (Thursday) and our discussion on the matter was very productive and promising.
“I have appealed to them to prevail on members of PASAN to call off the strike and allow the Committee set up on the issue to conclude its assignment.“
“All that is needed is patience and support for the Committee to come up with implementable recommendations”, according to the press statement.
Recall that The Townhall had reported that prior to the strike action, the Assembly staff held a meeting Tuesday at the Assembly complex and came up with a communique.
The communique was addressed to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor was signed by the State Chairman of PASAN, Comrade Emmanuel Edozie and Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Osubor, copies of which were also sent to all Directors, National Presidents of PASAN, Commissioner of Police, Delta state, Director, DSS and Chairman, NLC, Delta State, press among others.
It recalled how it suspended its earlier strike scheduled for 28th, February, 2024 following intervention of 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.
The Communique stated 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 it’s mandate of payment of CONLESS, it is yet to come up with a decision. 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 expresses its displeasure that the other issues raised at the meeting of March, 28, 2024, bothering on training, funding of the DTHA clinic, regularisation of casual staff among others are yet to be addressed or given attention after two months.
“Congress have 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.
“Arising from the above, Congress do now resolve to resume the suspended industrial action effective 12:00 am Wednesday, 29, May, 2024 indefinitely. Congress resolves that the resume strike action will only be resuspended in the event that approval and subsequent payment of CONLESS to staff and other issues enumerated above are addressed”.
As at the time of this report the Assembly gates were still under lock.