The National Assembly Legislative Forum (NASSLAF) has denied claims by the Salary Arrears Affected Aides’ claims that the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Arch Amos Olatunde Ojo has reneged on his promises to pay outstanding arrears of salaries.
The group in a statement of disclaimer dissociated itself from the report which emanated from the affected Legislative Aides, saying the allegations were ill-conceived.
The statement which was signed NASSLAF Chairman and Secretary, Salisu Zuru and Bola Adeyemo and which was made available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja, said they were putting the records in proper perspective given the prominence which the report generated.
The statement reads: “As the duly-elected and mandated body to represent the Legislative Aides of the National Assembly, we hereby disassociate ourselves and of course the generality of our colleagues, the Legislative Aides, from an ill-conceived letter which stems from rumors addressed to you on the above subject.
“We could not have bothered to dignify them with a response especially as they are unknown to us, but for the singular incidence of the paper bearing an official acknowledgement stamp from your office, we are only but persuaded to reply to the letter.
“To begin with, the letter should be disregarded in its entirety as the identities of the authors cannot be established. If indeed they are legitimate and well-meaning Aides, they should have authenticated the paper with their names and office addresses or even photocopies of their valid identity cards.
“However and for record purposes Sir, we acknowledge that there are some Legislative Aides who are yet to receive their salary arrears, and also that even though the arrears got accumulated before your appointment, you have displayed genuine commitments to address the issue as well as taken commendable steps so far, in ensuring that other legitimate concerns of the Legislative Aides are attended to.
“Since our inauguration as representatives of our colleagues, we have been having consultative engagements with you on these and accordingly, we have been informing them.
“Therefore the unsigned document does not and can never in any manner represent the imaginations, opinions and mindsets of Legislative Aides who are appointed to complement their principals in discharge of their legislative mandates.
“Every Aide operating both in the National Assembly and the various constituencies is easily identifiable and can freely express themselves legitimately and courteously.
“So in all ramifications, it is our suspicion that this is rather yet another deliberate action taken, and being propagated by rumours just to severe the harmonious working relationship between NASSLAF and the Leadership as well as Management of the National Assembly.
“We need to maintain the relative peace, harmony and sanity which have tremendously-improved on the overall work environment.
“Once again Sir, we disassociate ourselves from this. We humbly and passionately plead that you do not allow this to distract you from delivering on your promises with even defined timelines.
“Otherwise, they should have been aware that you graciously ordered the immediate payment of our First 28-Days Allowance that were supposed to have been paid a year before your appointment.
“Again, you made firm promises that Legislative Aides’ salaries should be paid between 27th and 29th of every month and also that the salary arrears would be paid on or before 21st of this month, December 2020.
“While you have since delivered, to the pleasure and fulfilment of Aides, on the prompt payments of salaries, the date for payment of arrears is still ahead, though very close.”
