News
Strike: Parliamentary staff may delay 2023 budget passage
The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), and the National Assembly Chapters had concluded arrangements to delay the 2023 budget defence and passage from the usual January – December circle over threat of strike action, and their endless demands for allowances.
The strike is billed to begin on Thursday, 20th October, 2022 as contained in the Communique released by the Union after its meeting with the Commission and Management of the National Assembly and the President of the Senate on Tuesday, 11th October, 2022.
This is coming according to sources after the National Assembly Service Commission NASC had obliged to the demands for payment of leave allowances, hazard allowances, arrears of minimum wage and peculiar allowances after they embarked on strike in June, 2022, as part of the conditions that ended the industrial action.
Investigations carried out by our reporter both at the National Assembly and the National Assembly Service Commission revealed that the Commission had already requested and tabled all the demands of the Union before the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission through a correspondence demanding the implementation of minimum wage/ Consequential adjustment in the staff consolidated legislative salary structure, and some allowances approved in the Conditions of Service for Use in the National Assembly Service.
More revelations also confirmed that the efforts towards realising the demands of PASAN was already forwarded to the Presidential Committee on Salaries and Wages, whose duties is to look into and ratify issues relating to salaries and Wages in the Public Service.
It was also reliably gathered that the National Assembly leadership had proactively intervened for accelerated actions and approval of the proposed allowances, conscious of the threats from the parliamentary union.
The threat to embark on an industrial strike by the Union will not only affect the National Assembly and National Assembly Service Commission, but with multiplier effects on the economy, activities of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Nigeria already preparing to defend their proposed 2023 budgets.
According to the Labour laws and the Trade Dispute Act, this action by the Union negates smooth activities, privileges, rights among others under the Legislative Houses which fall under Section 16, 21 that remained unambiguous.
It should be noted that any attempt to continue with the proposed strike, may disrupt the activities of the 9th Assembly, and create uneasy calm both at the Assembly and the nation at large.
A popular General Overseer of a new generation Church, Elijah has been arrested by the Octopus (C41) Strike Force unit of Rivers State Police Command for investigation over homosexual allegations.
It was gathered that a video of the Pastor was leaked indulging in the homosexual act to the police by a member of his church.
The member who alleged that the General Overseer attempted sleep with him against his will.
The member who revealed his name simply as Patrick now a complainant said, he wanted to play along after the General Overseer made sexual advancement and captured the nude video of pastor attempting to have carnal knowledge of him.
Armed with the intelligence report, the police traced the General Overseer who is from Rivers State to one of his relaxation spots in Port Harcourt and arrested him.
Sources revealed to our correspondent that the General Overseer has reportedly confessed to other numerous acts of homosexuality involving both male adults and minors within and outside Port Harcourt.
Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing.
Against government ban on rallies and organised reception under whatever guise by Kogi State Government, constituents of the Central Senatorial District troop3d out enmasse to receive Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday in Okene.
According to the pictorials released by the Media office of Senator Natasha, creme-de-la creme could be seen waiting in a scorching sun, not minding the effect.
The massive turn out followed assurance from Senator Natasha ‘s media team that the lawmaker has arrived from overseas and would make it to Okene on Tuesday for Sallah celebrations with her constituents.
A statement obtained by CAPITAL POST in Lokoja on Tuesday, pointed out that the purported ban on rallies and the cancellation of the visit were mere rumours, hence, the embattled lawmaker would pay a visit her constituents.
Part of the statement read: “We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central senatorial district will proceed as planned.
“Despite rumours circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit.
“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation.
“Her dedication to the people of Kogi Central is unwavering, and she looks forward to celebrating Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.
“We would like to assure the public that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a successful and joyous event. We invite all members of the community to join us in marking this special occasion.”
On Monday, CAPITAL POST reported that Kogi State Government issued a statement which was signed bybthe Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo asserting security concerns, hence, the proposed homecoming of Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District should be put off.
He stressed that there security breaches in parts of Kohi West Senatorial District, thus the security was so volatile that Government cannot guarantee peace for now and abused that the proposed reception at Okene should be cancelled.
Also, Kogi State Police Command earlier on Tuesday issued a statement banning any rally within the State, stating that intelligence reports available to it indicated that crisis may spur.
The statement which was signed by Police Public Relation Officer, SP William Ovye Aya and made available to CAPITAL POST, stressed that intelligence reports was indicative of peace and the rally which was organised by Natasha’s constituents should be cancelled.
The statement said: “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.
“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.
“In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on any one who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.”
Constituents trooped out displaying placards demanding justice for Senator Natasha.
It was recalled that Natasha was suspended from the Senate for six months over breach of Senate Standing Orders.
The lawmaker also alleged that the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio was harassing her sexually.
TEHRAN, Mar. 30 (MNA) – The Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesman Yahya Saree said that Yemeni forces successfully hit the Israeli Ben Gurion Airport with ballistic missiles on Sunday.
Saree said that the Yemeni Armed Forces struck the Israeli Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv using Zolfaqar missiles.
“By carrying out this operation, we proved that the US has failed to prevent Yemen from supporting the oppressed Palestinian people,” he stressed.
“American airstrikes do not prevent us from fulfilling our religious, moral, and human duties.”
“With the help of God Almighty, we will continue the anti-Zionist operations until the aggression and siege against the Gaza Strip stop.”
Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory’s Palestinian Resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.
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