FIC Report (Benue State) – The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, on Tuesday, 2nd November 2025, directed the House Standing Committee on Finance to liaise with the leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) to fast-track the process of implementing the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for Assembly staff.
This directive followed the presentation of Notice of Motion H.M.44 by the Majority Leader, Hon. Thomas Terzungwe Dugeri, titled “Motion Urging the House to Implement the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for Staff of the Benue State House of Assembly and the House of Assembly Service Commission.”
The motion highlighted that:
CONLESS is the approved salary structure for legislative staff across the National Assembly, State Assemblies, and their Service Commissions.
Section 8(1)(fF) of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission (Establishment) Law, 2018 mandates that salaries and allowances of Assembly staff align with CONLESS as approved by the House.
The National Secretariat of PASAN has issued an ultimatum directing all non-compliant State Assemblies to implement CONLESS or face an indefinite strike.
CONLESS had already been captured in the 2025 Approved Budget of the Benue State House of Assembly and its Service Commission.
Implementing the structure will motivate staff, give them a stronger sense of identity, and enhance productivity.
The financial autonomy currently enjoyed by State Assemblies was achieved through PASAN’s three-month indefinite strike in 2022.
While most States have already commenced implementation, Benue State is yet to do so, despite an agreement reached in September 2024 among the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers, and PASAN leadership.
After deliberation, the House resolved to:
Approve the immediate implementation of CONLESS for staff of the Benue State House of Assembly and the Assembly Service Commission, in accordance with the provisions of the 2018 Establishment Law and in line with practices at the National Assembly and other State Houses of Assembly.
Reacting, the PASAN Chairman Benue State House of Assembly thanked the Governor Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia and the implementation of salary Structure. He called on the parliamentary workers to be more dedicated to their duties now.
The Speaker assured that the House is committed to ensuring the welfare of its workforce and avoiding any disruptions that may arise from non-implementation.
Signed
VERONICA AZEMBA
For Head of Center FIC Makurdi
