Ekiti Speaker Assures Assembly Staff Of Better Welfare.
.....Commissions PASAN Building.
The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye has assured the Staff of the legislative arm of his readiness to help pursue their legitimate demands from the state government and work towards ensuring better welfare for them.
Rt. Hon. Aribasoye made this known on Thursday at his first interactive session with the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Ekiti State Chapter at the Assembly complex since he assumed office as Speaker of the Seventh Assembly.
The interactive session witnessed active participation from staff members, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Bolaji Egbeyemi Olagbaju , Principal Officers, other Lawmakers, and the bureaucracy of the House. It served as a platform for open dialogue and constructive discussions to address the concerns raised by the PASAN members.
The highpoint of the day was the commissioning of the PASAN Building within the premises of the Assembly Complex which houses a restaurant and the Union's administrative offices by the Speaker to the admiration of other lawmakers present and the staff members.
During the session, the Speaker acknowledged the importance of the staff members' valuable contributions to the functioning of the Assembly and therefore, emphasized the need for their welfare to be prioritized, as they play a vital role in supporting the lawmakers in fulfilling their legislative responsibilities.
In response to the demands for better welfare, the Speaker announced several initiatives aimed at improving the working conditions and wellbeing of the staff members as applicable and enjoyed by the arm of government.
Rt. Hon. Aribasoye who on behalf of others members promised to seek the understanding of the Governor, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji on the demands, also promised to further engage the Clerk of the House, Mr Tola Esan and other stakeholders on ways to ensure the demands are promptly granted.
The Speaker while announcing the approval of palliatives for staff to ease the difficult times occasioned by the subsidy removal, declared that the interactive session with staff members will be held quarterly, and assured of the Seventh Assembly's readiness to move the Legislature to an enviable height.
In his address, the Clerk of the House, Mr. Tola Esan congratulated the leadership of the union for the lofty project they have constructed, stating that it was an effort carried out through diligence and prudent management of resources.
Mr. Esan while appreciating the union for being a friendly one, expressed confidence in its leadership sagacity which has ensured industrial harmony in the legislative arm.
He encouraged the staff members to continue in the right direction and be peaceful in making their demands known, assuring them of victory at the end as the leadership of the House and the Executive Governor of the state are workers' friendly.
The Clerk further noted that the management of the House has been trying its best to ensure staff welfare was given adequate attention and would continue to do so.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of the PASAN, Ekiti State Chapter, Comrade Gbenga Oluwajuyigbe, extended the association's heartfelt appreciation to the leadership of the Assembly for granting its request for an interactive session and official commissioning of the PASAN building, describing the gesture as an indication of the lawmakers' commitment to the wellbeing of the legislative arm of government.
Comrade Oluwajuyigbe highlighted the demands of the association to include Approval and Implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure, (CONLESS); Creation of more Institutions in the Legislative Arm for growth and development of staff; Full Financial Autonomy in line with Section 121 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Re-engagement of the disengaged Staff.
Other demands tabled before the Speaker included Implementation and Approval of #10million for the take off of the legislative service Loans and Board as provided for in the 2023 Appropriation Law; Staff Promotion at Due Date, and the Inclusion of PASAN Retired Representatives on the Assembly Commission Board among others.
The PASAN boss solicited the support of the Speaker and his colleagues in the pursuit of those demands to be achieved.
A health talk was delivered by a Registered Nurse, Reverend Sister Emmanuel-Mary Fadiya during the interactive session.
