Reps summon Finance Minister over NASS staff protest *Fund for CONLESS payment captured in 2018 budget-Namdas

(R)Chairman House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Abdulrazak Namdas and his Deputy Rep. Jonathan Gaza Gwefi
 
By Kemi Yesufu 

The House of Representatives on Thursday summoned the Minister of Finance,  Zanaib  Ahmed to appear before it over the non-release of the fund appropriated for the National Assembly and the judiciary in the 2018 budget.
The summon was sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Edward Pwajok on the protest and the lock down  the two chambers of the National Assembly by members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN),  National Assembly chapter on Tuesday.
(R)Chairman House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Abdulrazak Namdas and his Deputy Rep. Jonathan Gaza Gwefip

Leading the debate on the motion,  Pwajok explained that the non-payment of the workers benefits is as result of the the low level of implementation of the 2018 budget.

 “The National Assembly and judiciary are on  first line charge and so there ought to be full implementation of the budget of the two arms of National Assembly”, Pwajok said. 
However Chairman,  House Committee on Media and Publicity,  Rep. Abdulrazak Namdas said although the workers protest was not against the leadership of the National Assembly,  lawmakers are committed to well-being of the staff, hence it’s intervention yesterday.
Namdas stressed that it is important for the minister to appear before the House to explain why funds appropriated for the National Assembly in the 2018 budget has not been released.
The House spokesman noted that although the workers acted in ignorance of the law by chasing away lawmakers and blocking the entrance of the Senate and House chamber, lawmkers have taken steps to adress thier greviances.
He said: “The increment that people are talking about is not for salaries, its about 28 percent…..We have called the Finance Minister to appear before us because this money was captured in the 2018 budget. But unfortunately it has not been released.
“We have summoned the minister to come and explain why resources have not been released.
“We will need a well equipped management staff. The protest is not against the leadership of the National Assembly.
“The National Assembly  is structured in such a way that the Senate has its own fund; the House of Reps has its own fund and the management has its own fund. None of the two presiding officers have access to the funds of the management”.
“We are not supposed to be fighting people working with us.  We care for them.  But they should follow due process,” he further said.
Staff of the National Assembly had shut down the National Assembly on Tuesday in protest over the non-payment of the 28 per cent increase of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) among other benefit.

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