Speaker of 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.
The Speaker who stated this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, 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 Governor Oborevwori to work out modalities for the implementation of CONLESS in the state.
“The committee which has the Secretary to the State Government as Chairman, has the State Head of Service, Accountant General of the State, the Private Secretary to the Governor, 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”, Guwor said.
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 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”, the Speaker added.
