Reps summon finance minister over N/Assembly protest

The House of Representatives yesterday summoned the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, over the recent protest by legislative workers under the Parliamentary Staff Association of the National Assembly (PASAN).

According to the summon, the Finance Minister is to appear before the Finance Committee of the House to explain why funds meant for the National Assembly and the Judiciary were not released as captured in the 2018 budget.

Rising from a motion of urgent public importance to that effect by the Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Edward Pwajok (APC, Plateau), the lawmakers noted with dismay the disruption of legislative activities by protesting workers on December 4, 2018.

“Note that the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) protested against the non-release of their benefits, including promotions and other entitlements.

“The non-release is as a result of the non-implementation of the 2018 Appropriation Act of the National Assembly,” Pwajork submitted.

He described as unfortunate the partial implementation of the budgets of the Legislature and the Judiciary, which are on “the first line of charge.”

Briefing newsmen, House Spokesman, Abdulrazak Namdas (APC, Adamawa) said the lawmakers summoned the finance minister to explain why the 28% salary increase being demanded by the workers was not released despite being captured in the 2018 budget.

“On the contentious 28% salary increment, we have summoned the Minister of Finance to explain why the money captured in the 2018 budget has not been released,” he said.