NASS Legislative Aides Protest Non-Payment Of 20 Months’ Salary Arrears

The National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum on Tuesday in
Abuja protested the non-payment of their 20 months’ salary
arrears.

Zebis Prince, who spoke on behalf of the protesting Aides, said
that since the inauguration of the 9th Assembly, their salary
arrears were withheld by the management.

He said that the matter was referred to the House Services
Committee with the mandate to among other things investigate the
irregularities in the payment of legislative Aides.

He however said that the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA)
insisted on getting directives from the chairman of National
Assembly Service Commission before payment of the arrears.

“We are disturbed that despite an express legislative resolution
mandating the CNA to ensure payment three weeks after, the Chief
Accounting Officer of NASS has chosen to hold us to ransom.

“The continued refusal of CNA to pay about 2,500 Aides their
2019 salary arrears have created a sharp division between Aides and
the management,” he said

He said that having exhausted internal dispute resolution
mechanism, the forum has resolved to pursue their grievances using
all legitimate tools at their disposal

“So, we are presenting our demands to the Speaker of the House
of representative, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, as the boss of our
principal and the Senate President.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the
demands of the protesters include: implementation of minimum wage,
duty tour allowances and training.

While addressing the forum, Gbajabiamila said that every
labourer deserved his wages, adding that the NASS leadership were
already looking into it.

“The wages owed since 2019 is not excusable, I will just ask
that you are a little bit patient and a little understanding.

“I know that there is financial constraint but one thing I know
is that, I will make sure that these things are resolved and your
arrears paid.

“We appreciate you by bringing this peacefully into our
attention,” he said.

The National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum on Tuesday in
Abuja protested the non-payment of their 20 months’ salary
arrears.

Zebis Prince, who spoke on behalf of the protesting Aides, said
that since the inauguration of the 9th Assembly, their salary
arrears were withheld by the management.

He said that the matter was referred to the House Services
Committee with the mandate to among other things investigate the
irregularities in the payment of legislative Aides.

He however said that the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA)
insisted on getting directives from the chairman of National
Assembly Service Commission before payment of the arrears.

“We are disturbed that despite an express legislative resolution
mandating the CNA to ensure payment three weeks after, the Chief
Accounting Officer of NASS has chosen to hold us to ransom.

“The continued refusal of CNA to pay about 2,500 Aides their
2019 salary arrears have created a sharp division between Aides and
the management,” he said

He said that having exhausted internal dispute resolution
mechanism, the forum has resolved to pursue their grievances using
all legitimate tools at their disposal

“So, we are presenting our demands to the Speaker of the House
of representative, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, as the boss of our
principal and the Senate President.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the
demands of the protesters include: implementation of minimum wage,
duty tour allowances and training.

While addressing the forum, Gbajabiamila said that every
labourer deserved his wages, adding that the NASS leadership were
already looking into it.

“The wages owed since 2019 is not excusable, I will just ask
that you are a little bit patient and a little understanding.

“I know that there is financial constraint but one thing I know
is that, I will make sure that these things are resolved and your
arrears paid.

“We appreciate you by bringing this peacefully into our
attention,” he said.