NASS staff to Saraki, Dogara: No alert, no sitting

Protesting staff of the National Assembly, under the aegis of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), on Tuesday told the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara that without alert there will not be plenary.

Interrupting the Senate President, while addressing them, the staff disagreed with the submission of Saraki that they will meet with the conditions of the staff.

Just when Saraki was thinking that the staff were on the same page with him, their shout “no alert, no sitting, no alert, no sitting, no alert, no sitting,” rent the air.

Accompanied by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Saraki, who promised to implement the demands of PASAN, said, “Let me make a commitment on behalf of the entire leadership of the National Assembly that we are all on the same side. It is our interest to be sure good and mental condition of service and better working environment and we are fully committed to this. We will work tirelessly to make sure the conditions you have listed are met.

“Regarding the CONLESS (Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure), let me assure you that we are on the same page to ensure the implementation. We are not in direct control of the issue, but we have asked your leadership to give us from now till Friday.

“What I am committing to you alongside the leadership is that we must find money to ensure the implementation of your demand.

“But for us to find a solution, we must be able to sit down and hold a meeting. We want you to be paid but we must be able to sit down and discuss with the management on how to go about this. You should give us time to hold a meeting.

“If you allow us, the report on the condition of service will be considered immediately by the two chambers so that we can pass that immediately. We want to meet with you and communicate to you on the way forward but for that to happen, we must be able to sit.”

Earlier, while addressing newsmen, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sani Omolori said that the management hoped to pay the staff from the addition to the 2018 budget.

He said: “It is a matter that has been on for some time now and we have tried to explain to them; we approved salary increase for them which was captured in 2018 budget but as it is today, it is a common knowledge that the level of implementation of the 2018 budget, especially the new addition to the National Assembly, which has not been implemented – that is where we had hoped that the addition would be paid.

“So, to the extent that the money has not been released there is no way we can make the payment.

“We told them it is wrong and we tried to prevail on them to try to see through things in the correct way. As a matter of fact, I wrote a letter to them and I also had series of formal and informal consultations with their leadership up till yesterday (Monday) to make them back out of what is clearly an act that is not in tune with their own rules.”

On whether he’s worried by the action of the workers, Omolori said, “I am worried that in an institution that you think people should be able to look at things properly and then they are not looking at it that way that is why I am worried.

“I still insist that they need to be a bit patient with the system. Like I said, in my reply to them; in an unprecedented manner, the presiding officers acceded, without hesitation to their requests for this increment. It was bargained with them and they captured it in the budget.

“So, how is it in their (lawmakers) powers, if the money is not released? And in any case, the reality on the ground is that it is not only the National Assembly that is suffering from non-release of funds. That is the reality of the Nigerian situation. So, I think we all have to be patient.”

Also addressing newsmen, the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, who was accompanied by the Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, noted that the issues raised by PASAN were genuine.

Lawan said: “Implementation of the 28 percent demanded by protesting workers will be achieved through a tripartite arrangement consisting of NASS members, management and leadership of PASAN.”

“This will start tomorrow (Wednesday) in plenary. But let me say that it will be counter-productive to stop plenary because this will not allow the chambers to look into the issues raised.

“The reconstitution of the National Assembly management will be done but let me appeal that the picketing should be suspended to give room for resolution.”