Delta Speaker To PASAN: Get Your Facts Right

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya on Tuesday criticized the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter for presenting incorrect information to the House.

He also advised members of PASAN to get their facts right on the special duty allowance before embarking on any protest in this regard.

“I got the information from the Clerk of the House that the workers are agitated over the removal of SDA. I called the Head of Service and commissioner of finance. They assured me that the Special Duty Allowance (SDA) has not been removed but just suspended for the purpose of verification exercise.

They want to authenticate those that are entitled to it genuinely. SDA is backed by law and the only way it can be removed is when the law is amended” he said.

Speaking to workers of the assembly on Tuesday, Igbuya reminded the workers that there is only one head of service in the state.

“To say that Parliamentary workers are not under the head of service is not correct. There is only one head of service in the state. The law clearly states that the Clerk of the House is by appointment rated like the head of service. It does not remove her completely from the head of service. Secondly, you are responsible to the clerk of the house.

The clerk is the administrative head of the assembly. The clerk must be respected. I urge you to channel your grievances to the clerk. It does not make administrative sense to be side tracking the clerk and rushing to the office of the speaker at every given opportunity”.

Igbuya told the workers that he understood the sentiment driving the expression of protest.

“It’s very important to strengthen conditions of service but we must have in mind the dwindling financial resources of the country, particularly Delta State.

The speaker noted that the state is experiencing financial difficulties.

Igbuya who took the opportunity to remind the workers of the fundamental purpose of the government, said it was incomprehensible that the workers could replace suspension with removal.

He asked for patience and understanding.
He also called on the workers to respect the clerk.

On workers outfit, the speaker queried the separation of staff of the assembly and the commission, stressing that the unnecessary division was not caused by him.

He urged the House Committee on establishment to look into the agitations of the workers and make recommendations.

He equally advised PASAN to verify their facts before acting on them.

The workers commended the speaker for the audience granted them and thanked him for their Christmas gift.

HENRY EBIRERI
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