Benue Assembly workers protest non-payment of allowance

BY PETER DURU
MAKURDI—The Benue State branch of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, Tuesday, barricaded the entrance to the State House of Assembly in protest over the non-payment of over N63 million out-fit allowance owed its members for four years now by the House.

The protesting parliamentary staff locked up the main entrance to the Assembly as early as 6 am just as they blocked the way leading to other offices.

Some of them carried placards some of which read: ‘’Ours is a story of toils, tears and sweat’’, ‘’N63 divided by 200 staff multiplied by 4 years equals peanut’’, apparently comparing the outstanding allowances to what the legislators earn.

Speaking to newsmen on their grievances, the Benue State Chairman of PASAN, Bem Mela regretted that the Assembly has refused to honour  agreements reached following series of negotiations over three months ago on the need to pay them their ward robe allowance; a development which prompted the national body to intervene in the matter.

Addressing the aggrieved workers later, Speaker of the State Assembly, Mr. Terhemen Tarzoor blamed the situation on the poor allocation of fund to the state from the Federation Account.

“I had discussed the issue with the State Executive Council but the problem is that the Federation Account which the state wholly depends on did not hold its regular meeting”.

Tarzoor also blamed the situation on the political class but assured the staff that the matter would be resolved in two days time.

All entreaties made by the Speaker to the Staff to go back to work failed as they bluntly told him that they would not return to their offices until the money was paid.

The incident also attracted the attention of the Commissioner of Police Mr. Emmanuel Obiako who plied that same route on his way to the office. Obiakor called the Speaker aside and reminded him on the ban on public procession and urged the leadership of PASAN to disperse their members.

ng others; who are in the habit of hoarding kerosene only to sell to dealers who will in turn sell to the public at exorbitant rate,” he added.