NASSLAF visits new Clerk to National Assembly, wants lingering welfare issues addressed

Members of the National Assembly Legislative Aides, NASSLAF, have paid an unscheduled visit to the newly appointed Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA Alhaji Sani Tambuwal at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

CAPITAL POST recalled that this group of Aides have sustained a movement in the last three years on issues bordering on Aides welfare ranging from salary arrears, minimum wage, DTA, training and other allied welfare matters which they have led protests with media campaigns and even petitioned the relevant bodies in an attempt to get justice.

The situation created unhealthy working relationship between NASSLAF members and the NASS management, but seemed to have changed now, when tens of National Assembly Aides Welfare Front, led by their leader paid an impromptu courtesy visit to the new Clerk in his office.

Armed with a letter and a giant congratulatory card, they assured the helmsman of their support and cooperation as he sets out to resolve the lingering impasse and mistrust between both parties.

The letter signed by six zonal representatives and sighted by our correspondence reads in part: “We write on behalf of all Legislative Aides to congratulate you on your historic appointment as Clerk to the National Assembly. No doubt, the deluge of messages of goodwill pouring your way since your confirmation is a testament to your capacity, strength of character and administrative acumen.

From all indications, you are viewed as an honourable man who prioritizes the welfare of workers. Suffice to say that this sentiment is pervasive among not just staff but also Legislative Aides.

“Little wonder that no appointment in National Assembly in recent times has been greeted with the euphoria and optimism that heralded your elevation. We are confident that you will justify and live up to the huge expectations of the National Assembly community. It is our firm belief that you will discharge the onerous responsibilities of this public with aplomb and human face guided by the fear of Almighty Allah”.

Continuing, they stated: “Even as we celebrate your achievement, it is important to remind you of some outstanding welfare issues that have lingered on for long, chief of which is the issue of Legislative Aides Minimum wage and salary arrears.

“In your previous position as the Director of Finance and Administration, you were actively involved in the series of meetings convened to resolve the issues. In those engagements you displayed uncommon empathy, candour, commitment and a clear understanding of the severity of the situation.

“This was why it did not surprise many of us when began the implementation of our minimum wage increase with our January salaries even when your appointment had not been made substantive. Graciously, God has elevated you to a position where you can lay the issue to rest for the sake of the institution and posterity”.
In trying to investigate what has changed and why they think this CNA would be different from the previous one, reached out to the Convener of the group Mr. Lawson Oviasogie and the Coordinator Mr. Zebis Prince. In a telephone interview, Mr. Oviasogie said: “Our contention has never been about personality but about institutional ineptitude and crass insensitivity. We frown at a situation where Aides were being used as conduits for financial misappropriation or malfeasance. Our disenchantment has always been about National Assembly workers being denied of living working conditions especially those laced with statutory flavour like salary, minimum wage, DTA, trainings and other basic entitlements.

With the benefit of close observation, I was confident of Mr. Tambuwal’s commitment to workers’ welfare having projected himself as one with humility, fear of God and the temperament to hold such sensitive position.

He further burnished his reputation in the manner he welcomed us today despite not furnishing prior notice.

“That is in sharp contrast to what we are used to. I am optimistic and admonish my colleagues to keep it locked as our PRO would say. There is light at the end of the tunnel and it is not an oncoming train”.

Mr. Prince was more effusive of the CNA. In his words, “He lived up to his reputation. I had my doubt based on past experience but those fears were quickly dispelled. Did he meet our demands? Not yet. But he was honest enough to tell us the true state of things and we left him with renewed hope that what Aides are going through is delay and not denial.

He assured us as much and I am positive this new CNA will enjoy industrial harmony. I particularly envy the incoming Aides because they have a more proactive and empathetic administrator who do not delight in subjecting workers to unnecessary misery”.

In an institution filled with highwire politicking and vested interests, it is difficult to predict how long this honeymoon between Legislative Aides and the management will last. If recent history is anything to go by, one would observe cautious optimism. But who knows, maybe as the leader of the group boldly stated, it could perhaps herald a new era of mutually beneficial relationship.