The Speaker, of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, says only the 100 casual staff of the House approved by Gov. Abdullahi Sule will be absorbed into the mainstream of the state civil service.
Abdullahi stated this while playing host to officials of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Nasarawa State Chapter, in his office on Thursday in Lafia.
He warned against the inclusion of outsiders in the ongoing recruitment process of the casual staff of the assembly.
Abdullahi said that absorption of the casual staff would improve their standard of living and that of their family members.
“His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule has given approval for the absorption of the whole casual staff of the state Assembly not for any other person from outside.
“I told my Honourable members and members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Service Commission that there is no slot for anybody.
“I want to assure you that only the casual staff will be fully regularised and absorbed into the mainstream civil service in this Assembly,” he said.
According to him, many of them are here for many years, ranging from 20 to 15 years, and some above.
“This is a golden opportunity for them and I can not allow them to be short-changed; all of them will get it as approved by the governor,” the speaker assured.
Abdullahi congratulated the new officials on their well-deserved victories during the election.
He appreciated members of the association for always supporting his policies and programmes.
“There is a perfect relationship between PASAN leadership and the House authority.
“PASAN is one body that I appreciate so much. You struggle for financial autonomy of the State Houses of Assembly and today by God’s grace, we have achieved that.
“Very soon, it is going to be implemented,” he said.
The speaker also assured them of his full support for the association to success.
He called on the members of the association and other people of the state to continue to support Sule’s administration to succeed.
Earlier, Mr Suleiman Oshafu, the state PASAN Chairman, said that the visit was a familiarisation aimed at introducing the new officials of the association to the speaker.
He commended the speaker for his purposeful leadership which has brought peace and improved the standard of living of the staff of the assembly.
“We are happy over your leadership style as this Assembly has never had it so good like now.
“There is peace, unity, progress and development, and most importantly, the approval for the regularisation/absorption of the whole casual staff of the assembly.
“We appreciate and we are grateful to you for that struggle, sir,” he said.
Oshafu assured of their readiness to be law abiding, loyal and supportive to the speaker and current administration to succeed.
The chairman also prayed for the success of Abdullahi as the 7th Assembly Speaker.
He, however, appealed to him for payment of retirement benefits, promotion arrears, annual increment, training and re-training of staff, leave grant and involvement of staff in House activities, among others.(NAN)
