By ABUBAKAR YUSUF

A civil society organization, Assembly Watch, has appealed to the leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) under Senate President Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to offset the two-year salary arrears, payment of minimum wage arrears/others of legislative aides.

According to the protem spokesman of the organisation, Marouf Bamidele, this is the only way the aides will be given a sense of belonging in the running of the affairs of the National Assembly.

Bamidele bemoaned the plight of legislative aides, saying that this development will also pose a potential danger to their principals.

“We believe that the issue of salary arrears, minimum wage and other entitlements of legislative aides is already over-flogged. We want the intervention of the leadership of the 9th Assembly directing the management of NASS on the way forward rather than embracing redtapism and bureaucracy in handling the matter.

“We are not unaware of efforts in that regard, but we want the leadership to use the situation as part of succour being extended to other vulnerable Nigerians.

“We further appeal to the 9th Assembly leadership to play down on the approach of legislative aides towards offsetting the arrears, saying it was borne out of lack and wants, though their entitlements,” Assembly Watch said in a statement signed by Bamidele.

The group congratulated the 9th National Assembly leadership, management and National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) for their concerted efforts, promising that the next two years will chart a new chapter of the current leadership at all levels.