A MOTION to implement the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for staff of the assembly and the Assembly Service Commission was moved at the Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The Majority Leader, Hon. Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West), who moved the motion, said that CONLESS was the approved salary structure for legislative staff at the National Assembly and the 36 state assemblies.
He cited Section 8(1)(Ff) of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission (Establishment) Law, 2018, which empowered the house to approve salaries and benefits for assembly workers in line with the structure.
Dugeri also noted that the national leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) had issued a directive to all state assemblies that were yet to implement CONLESS, warning of an indefinite strike.
The majority reminded members that the payment had been included in the 2025 approved budget, indicating that the assembly had already made provisions for it.
He added that implementing the structure would improve staff motivation, strengthen their identity as legislative workers, and support better productivity.
Dugeri further expressed concern that Benue remained among the states yet to implement the salary structure, even though most others had already done so.
The majority leader recalled that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers, and PASAN leadership had agreed in September 2024 that all states should commence payment, but the implementation in Benue had not yet started.
Mr Abu Umoru (PDP/Apa) seconded it, noting that approval would be welcomed by the workers and would help maintain the cordial relationship between the assembly and its staff.
Ruling, the Speaker, Mr Alfred Emberga, directed the PASAN Executive Committee to meet with the House Committee on Finance to fast-track the process.
He assured the workers that efforts were underway to ensure they began receiving their new salary structure soon. (NAN)
