Leadership of Delta Assembly Pledges to Tackle State House of Assembly Service Commission’s Accommodation Challenges
ASABA/Nigeria: Emomotimi Guwor, the Speaker of the 8th Delta Assembly, has committed to addressing the accommodation difficulties faced by the State House of Assembly Service Commission.
Guwor made this promise during an unexpected visit to the Commission’s offices, situated off DBS Road in Asaba, for an on-the-spot assessment of their rented facilities.
The Commission’s staff, during a meeting with Speaker Guwor and members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, Delta State chapter, at the Assembly Complex following Wednesday’s plenary session, had challenged the Speaker to visit their offices to evaluate the working conditions. They alleged severe neglect and claimed that no Speaker of the Delta Assembly had ever visited the premises since they began operating there.
Following the meeting, Speaker Guwor, accompanied by the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi, Minority Leader, Dafe Emakpor, Chief Whip, Perkins Umukoro, and the Members representing Oshimili North and Oshimili South, Frank Esenwah and Bridget Anyanfulu, along with the Acting Clerk of the State Assembly, Oto Aghoghopia, made an impromptu visit to the Commission’s offices to verify the claims.
Upon arrival, Guwor and his team were welcomed by the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Sunday Ebireri, who outlined the numerous challenges faced by staff working in such conditions. Ebireri highlighted issues such as inconsistent power supply, the high cost of operating diesel generators, security concerns, poor access roads, and frequent flooding of the premises during rains, along with the presence of reptiles.
Ebireri also recalled a past incident when a former Chairman of the Commission was kidnapped while leaving the office after work, emphasizing the loneliness, isolation, and exposure to danger that staff encounter while working in this environment.
Mr. Ebireri stressed that these challenges have a detrimental impact on staff productivity, emphasizing that when employees are not motivated, their output is consistently low. He expressed gratitude to the Speaker for his visit.
In response, Speaker Emomotimi Guwor expressed his determination to build upon the achievements of past Presiding Officers of the House and called for cooperation and understanding. He voiced his concern about the state of the Commission’s premises and promised to work with relevant stakeholders to find solutions to the enumerated challenges. Guwor acknowledged that a conducive working environment and motivated staff are crucial for achieving high productivity.
The visit’s highlight included a guided tour of the premises and offices.
