…Appeals to striking workers to end action
The industrial action embarked upon by the members of the workers of the Delta State House of Assembly on the day Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’ was celebrating his one year in office, has continued to worry authorities in the state.
One such authority is Emomotimi Guwor, the speaker of the state House of Assembly.
Guwor said the strike action embarked upon by members of the Delta State branch of the parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) was unfortunate.
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He said it was more worrisome that the workers chose to commence the industrial action on the break of the first year in office of Governor Oborevwori when Deltans were celebrating God’s grace upon the state and the milestones achieved by the governor within just a year.
In a statement by Nkem Nwaeke, his chief press secretary, Guwor 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, and that the state government was up to date in payment of salaries to its employees across the various arms of government.
He said that the main issue of agitation is the implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Scheme, CONLESS, in Delta State, which centred on enhanced salary structure for the workers.
He said that the matter was a national issue and that engagement had gotten to an advanced stage for its implementation in the state.
“A high-powered committee was set up by the state governor 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,” Guwor said.
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The speaker acknowledged the right of the workers to agitate for an 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 the 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.