Delta Assembly, union may clash over non-implementation of agreement

The cordial relationship that had existed between the leadership of the Delta State House of Assembly and the Parliamentary Staff Association (PASAN) may have hit the rocks.

The workers on Monday barricaded the entrance to the Assembly protesting the non-implementation of agreement reached by both parties.
While the union’s peaceful protest lasted, the Speaker, Monday Igbuya said the protest was ill-motivated, adding that what they were asking for might be far cry considering the current economic recession.

Meanwhile, in a communiqué the union issued and signed by Emmanuel Edozie its chairman, and Emmanuel Osubor Secretary respectively, stated that arising from a meeting of Congress of the parliamentary Staff Association, Delta State House of Assembly held on 31st October, 2016, reached certain resolutions.

Part of the resolutions were that the congress resolved to impress on the Speaker including other principal officers to fill in the vacant position of the Deputy Clerk of the House as stipulated in the existing law; that the payment of 2016 wardrobe allowance of the members be carried out without delay as stipulated in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) earlier reached with the House leadership; that the leadership of the House should commence payment of outstanding benefits to the deceased staff relations; that the House should adequately fund and recruit medical personnel (especially doctors) for the House clinic and the House should as a matter of urgency review upward staff impress.

The communiqué stated that the union, on expiration of two weeks from 31st October, 2016, may resume the suspended industrial action and that the strike action will remain indefinite until its demands are met.

In a swift reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Henry Ebierere, said the protest was carried out by some “miscreants” among the PASAN Union, dismissing the purported agreement reached with the House leadership.