Legislative aides protest over salary arrears — second time in two weeks

Legislative aides on Wednesday protested at the National Assembly Complex over the non-payment of 22 months’ salary arrears.

The aides were at the lobby of the complex bearing placards, calling on the national assembly management to pay their allowances.

This is the second time in two weeks the aides are staging a protest at the national assembly.

They had on April 13 staged a protest, accusing Ojo Olatunde, clerk of the national assembly (CNA), of failure to pay their arrears dating back to 2019.

They also alleged that the national assembly management failed to implement the consolidated legislative salary structure (CONLESS), minimum wage, duty tour allowances (DTA) and other conditions of service.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Zebis Prince, who spoke on behalf of the aides, said the national management has refused to pay their arrears despite availability of funds.

“Two weeks ago, we were here to protest the non-payment of our salary arrears,” he said.

“It is so sad and unfortunate that after two weeks that we were addressed by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila who admitted that it is inexcusable to owe workers wages for 22 months, nothing has been done.

“We have it on good authority that this salary arrears were duly appropriated and released on the first line charge.

“Unfortunately, what the management of the national assembly is that this money is no more there.

“What happened to the money that was released for this purpose? It is either this money has been embezzled or misappropriated.”