NASS legislative aides laments unpaid severance package

…alleges double standard

By Lanre Adesanya

Over six month after, legislative aides of the 7th Assembly, whose principals had been paid their severance,  alleged non-payment of their severance entitlements and other allowances, urging Federal Government to help bring respite their way.

The said aides engaged from 2011 to May 29, 2015, alleged foul-play by the assembly’, management.

The aides numbering about 3,000 from different quarters, decried the management’s perceived inertness on the payment and insensitivity to their plights.

They alleged that the severance benefits were initially scheduled to be paid in June only for the NASS  management to renege on the payment over and over again.

It was gathered that though NASS management cited  paucity of funds  as reason for the delay, the lawmakers, NASS workers and even those described as privileged contractors have been paid.

Although the management following a peaceful protest by some of the aides promised that the issue would soon be resolved but there seemed to be no respite yet.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos Mr. Rotimi Shitta-Bay bemoaned the alleged unfair treatment the authorities of the assembly meted out to him and his colleagues, stressing that such behaviour would likely discourage anyone from working for the government.

According to Shitta, We served in the 7th assembly under various house of representative members and senators, since we left office in May, the national assembly management has not paid us our severance and duty tour allowances. We are being denied these entitlements for no just cause.

” We are informed that the lawmakers who served in the 7th assembly have all received their severance and allowances since June while we are being denied our entitlements till date.”

Adding that, “finance ministry had released the funds to NASS management but the management has failed to settle us.”

It was gathered that NASS officials had preference for the settlement of liabilities to some contractors as top priority rather than attend to the aides rightful
demands.

Lending his voice Alh. Muhili Adejumo lamented their dire situation, urging President Muhammadu Buhari and other government agencies to come to their aid.