Ikon takes swipe at PASAN * We still have one month to battle with the speaker- PASAN vows

 

* Says AKHA staff are  ungrateful

BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

The Speaker of Akwa  Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Sam Ikon has attributed the recent three day warning strike by the staff of the Assembly to some mischief makers in the leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter.    

Elder Ikon taken the swipe on Monday while addressing all the Assembly staff at the chapel hall of the House of Assembly Complex, Udo Udoma, Avenue, Uyo.

The AKHA speaker said though the meeting was to say thank you to all the staff for the partnership he has enjoyed from the staff for over 48 months, adding that it was necessary to also use the opportunity to clarify issues on what happened in his absent which lead to the strike by the Assembly staff. “In my absent I heard there was a warning strike and there were issues that was raised and I felt as a leader it was important to meet with the staff as well as address those issues.” 

While highlighting some areas of complaint by the Assembly staff which lead to the strike, Elder Sam Ikon said on the issue of implementation of 35% legislative duties allowance, he was made to understand that what is being implemented is 25% for senior staff and 17% for junior staff which the staff are currently asking for a flat rate of 35%. He said he is aware that the case is before the Head of Civil Service even as he assured them that things will be put in place to ensure that the flat rate is implemented soon.

 The speaker stated clearly that the increase of percentage is purely a service matter and that as a speaker of the Assembly, he has a very limited input, rather he can only add his voice by appealing to the State Executive to consider the requests, which he has always been doing it. “So if anybody comes to tell the staff that the speaker has not acted in this regard, it is mischief. I don’t have powers to approve the increase of percent for you; it is the only the state governor that has those powers. All I can do is to add voice to your requests and I have done that severally, ever since this matter was brought to me in the last few months.” 

On the implementation of consolidated percent salary structure, Ikon said that it was important for the PASAN leadership to enter into a dialogue and agreement with relevant authorities (not him), so that the State Government would see how domesticated to the extent the government can carry, rather than going to the press to say all manners of insulting words against him. He expressed believe that the incoming government is responsible enough to hear PASAN as well as find a solution to it.

Talking about the issue of provision of staff buses, the speaker said “I explained to the leadership of your PASAN what happened. We applied for two coaster buses and one Haice bus, so when the cars came, what we now had was one coaster bus and two Haice buses. Because we normally had committees duties and sometimes it becomes difficult for Hon. Members to use their individual jeeps for committees duties, so we decided to use the one coaster bus for Hon. Members each time we have committee duty, one Haice bus was designated for staff while the other Haice bus was given to the press corps, so that was the arrangement. And we are still hopeful of having new buses.”

While promising to leave a legacy before the end of his tenure, Ikon frowned at the leadership of PASAN for their mischievous act to paint a different picture of what is happening in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to the public.

On the issue of facilitation of second phase of ICT training, Ikon took time to explain that it was captured 2015 budget courtesy of his led administration, adding that with the approval from the State Government, that would be done as soon as possible. “For you to insult the person who initiated this project, I think you people don’t have a conscience. This was not a project ever done and nobody went for strike in this place. I initiated this project and yet I am insulted for it, I don’t think it’s fair.”

On the issue of appointment of a Deputy Clerk of the House, Elder Ikon wondered why it should be an issue and why it is taken out of proportion, adding that he had assured PASAN that a Deputy Clerk would appointed before the end of his tenure, but noted that a Deputy Clerk will not be appointed from any of the interest groups, but rather it’s will be a neutral person.

On the issue of challenges of physical structures in the Assembly complex, the speaker said his administration is ever ready to cleaning up the Assembly complex as well as maintain structures within the Assembly complex. Talking about repositioning of the Assembly clinic, he said his administration has added value to the Assembly clinic by prompt release of funds for drugs as well as upgraded the clinic in terms equipments.

On the issue of mounting of conferences, seminars and workshops to improve staff productivity, hear Ikon speaks “It is sad you insult the very person who brought back workshops and training. There was no training in this place for three years; I was in the 4th Assembly and there was no strike by the staff, when I came in, I restored training and also ensure conferences for all the management staff as well as ensure payment for all the outstanding claims for all the staff. It is important for me to highlight something here, any break in transmission as far as training is concern, was not cause by the speaker. I have given financial assistance to all categories of staff and I am the one who initiated parliamentary week, yet I am being described as the worst speaker by PASAN leadership.”

According to Ikon “I’m very sad as a person, that after four year of putting in my best to see us live as a family, in my exit, a few people determined to misrepresent my efforts. I leave you to your conscience, but what I plead from all of you is that you know the truth. I have never willingly attempted not to give you your right because I gain nothing in doing that. For every good I can do you, it is adding in defining the quality of my leadership. I have not done anything wrong to deserve this level of insult. I strongly believe that this action was sponsored and I want to plead with you to stop it there.” 

The Assembly Speaker while saying that the staff has every right to request for the improvement of their welfare, reminded them to always ensure their move are result oriented. He urged the staff to give same cooperation to whosoever will emerge the new speaker even as he assured them that their welfare issues will be taken care of as soon as possible. 

  
 Though Ikon did not allow respond from either the PASAN leadership or any staff, chatting with THE INK shortly after the meeting, a member of PASAN executive who pleaded his name not be mention on print, blamed Speaker Ikon who he said was the cause of their embarrassing action, adding that the speaker does not have the interest of the Assembly workers at heart. According to the PASAN member “Ikon has never call for a meeting and mention anything good for the workers, he should have allow us to talk in the meeting, we still have one month to battle with the speaker.” He vowed.