PASSAN STRIKE: Delta Assembly Speaker Urges Workers To Return To Work

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly has described as unnecessary the strike action embarked upon by members of the State branch of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN 

The Speaker, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Nkem Nwaeke, noted that the timing of the strike was absolutely wrong, as it prevented the workers from participating in the first year anniversary 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, explaining that the issue at stake had nothing to do with non payment of salaries as the state government was up to date with payment of workers’ salaries across the various arms of government.

The Speaker disclosed that the main issue in contention was 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 implementation of  CONLESS was a national issue and that negotiations had reached an advanced stage as it concerned Delta State.

“A high power 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, also 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”, Guwor said.

The Speaker acknowledged the right of the workers to agitate for enhanced salary package, but advised that they should continue to explore dialogue in achieving their aims.

He said his meeting with the leadership of PASAN earlier in the day was fruitful 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 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.