The Rivers State Chapter of the Parliamentary staff association of Nigeria (PASAN) play host to members of the body across the country. The body which is also a member of Nigerian labour congress (NLC) hosted PASAN members in the state, capital Port Harcourt from Thursday 1st to Saturday March 2012 of the meeting was held at the auditorium of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to journalist shortly after the meeting, the Rivers State chairman of the parliamentary staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) comrade Okeleke Louis said Rivers State was given the opportunity to host the 8th National council meeting of the body.
Okeleke said as a union, PASAN was registered last year as a legal trade union, but before that time it was not registered which did not make the body a legal entity. He said the issue of non registration has pose a lost of challenges on the workers of the parliament, but since to has become a legitimate body a lot of challenges has been overcome which now increased their success.
Comrade Akeleke also told journalist that the National Executive council is made up by the chairman and secretaries of each state including the National Assembly chapter and base on the calculation they expect only those who are qualify to attend the meeting lamenting that because of financial position, some state where unable to send in their representative but was satisfied with the number in attendance.
Blaming those who could not attend the meeting on management of those chapters because monies where not made available and check off dues are not collected as at when due.
The PASAN Rivers State said, this is the first time Rivers State is hosting the body and was grateful to the National Executive council for the choice of the state and his predecessor comrade Tony Ogubuize as those whose instrumental to the hosting of the body by the state.
Comrade Louis positioned that although, the Rivers State chapter is yet to remit their check off dues to the national body the were still given the opportunity, to host because of the potential they see in them, saying the meeting is a ritual and the meeting will also deal with the issue of consolidated salary structure which only those working in the National Assembly are benefiting and this is one of their key challenges presently.
Also speaking the National Deputy Chairman of PASAN comrade Monday Osemekhare said they were in Port Harcourt to create awareness as the union has just been registered and to dialogue on the way forward.
Com. Osemekhare said their discussion will focus on staff welfare.
On the mechanism to create awareness he said the meeting will more from state to state and also to foster unity among members.
He advised legislators in the country to look for better ways to improve the life of Nigerians. On the issue of budget in by the parliament, he said both state and national assembly budget includes the management of the house.
Explaining PASAN activity further, the National secretary general Com. Ololade Oyeyipo said the meeting is also to review some of the activities that happened in the last six months, and to prepare for the National Delegate conference will take place in four weeks were new Exco body will elected at the National level.
The secretary General said his position will not be contestable since it is a paid position. ###
By Pius Dukor
