Nasarawa State Assembly to convert casual workers to permanent, pensionable staff
NAN-H-11
Staff
By Mohammed Baba Busu
Lafia, June 7, 2017 (NAN) The Nasarawa State House of Assembly said on Wednesday it would offer permanent and pensionable appointment to its casual staff soon to guarantee their job security for the overall development of the state.
The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, announced this at the end of the second session of the fifth assembly in Lafia.
Balarabe-Abdullahi assured the people of the state of the assembly’s readiness to ensure a cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature, to bring the much needed dividend of democracy to all facets of lives of the people.
“As you are all aware, this solemn occasion marks the end of the second session of a four-year stint which the Constitution of the Federal Republic has earmarked as the tenure of the country’s elected officials.
“You also are aware that a large number of our workforce is casual staff; this means that apart from not having security of tenure, they are in no position to enjoy pension or gratuity by the time they are too weak to discharge their duties.
“This situation, I must say, is unfortunate. However, I am pleased to note that following extensive discussions between honourable members and the executive governor, there is now light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
According to him, “In fact, efforts are being made to ensure that some of these casual staff are given permanent and pensionable appointment in the shortest possible time.
He also said that Gov. Tanko Al-Makura had agreed to provide fund for the conduct of public hearing, to ensure that the members of the house successfully and satisfactorily discharged their primary responsibility to the populace.
Balarabe-Abdullahi called on the organized labour in the state to be patient and show more understanding with government.
“As we are all aware, government as is the case in other states, has been constrained to pay workers monthly salaries in percentage due to the harsh economic times.
“This assembly shares in your pains and will assist the state government in its desire to continue to promote the welfare of civil servants,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the house are expected to resume for plenary on July 10. (NAN)
BAB/YMU/IA
(Edited by Idris Abdulrahman)