The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Public Complaints Commission (PCC) Chapter, has honoured the Chief Commissioner of the Commission, Hon. Bashir Abubakar, MFR, with a Landmark Achievement Award for his role in the full implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for staff.
The award was presented on Monday at the PCC headquarters in Abuja, amid jubilation from staff and union leaders who recalled years of agitation over the full implementation of the salary structure.
Speaking at the event, the PASAN PCC Chapter Chairman, Dr Margaret Ibeku, said the award was deserved, noting that previous administrations had only partially implemented CONLESS.
She commended Abubakar for fulfilling his commitment to staff welfare, saying the implementation had addressed a longstanding concern of the workforce.
PASAN National President, Comrade Usman Mohammed, in his goodwill message, described the full implementation of CONLESS as a “soft landing” after years of strained relations between the union and PCC management.
He commended the Chief Commissioner for his approach to resolving the issue and acknowledged that the union might have gone beyond acceptable limits in its choice of words during previous disagreements.
Responding, Abubakar said he was humbled by the recognition and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving staff welfare and working conditions.
“We are not looking for ₦200 billion, ₦300 billion. We are not looking for anything extra. We are only looking for what we are entitled to,” he said.
The Chief Commissioner also disclosed that an ongoing staff verification exercise had uncovered irregularities and that a committee of Federal Commissioners, with representatives from the six geopolitical zones, was reviewing the findings.
He said payments relating to affected cases would remain suspended until the identified discrepancies were resolved.
Abubakar further announced plans to establish additional departments and directorate positions at the Commission’s headquarters and state offices to create more opportunities for staff career progression.
He also said the PCC had attracted interest from Ombudsman institutions in Liberia, Cameroon and Russia for possible partnerships and staff training.
The Chief Commissioner urged staff to protect the integrity of the Ombudsman institution through their conduct both within and outside the workplace.
Also honoured at the event were PASAN National President Usman Mohammed, who received the Best Performing President Award; National Zonal Vice-President Ikechukwu Alaribe, who received the Outstanding Zonal Vice-President Award; and PCC Chapter Chairperson Margaret Ibeku, who received the Distinguished Leadership Award for their contributions to staff welfare and organised labour.
