By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin has stressed the need for continuous dialogue between the leadership of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF on the implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures.
The Conference Chairman said this in Ibadan when the Southwest leadership of PASAN led by its Zonal Vice President, Prince Adewale Adele paid him a courtesy visit.
Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly said the two parties must continue to meet to ensure that the issue of implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures is resolved amicably to avoid further industrial impasse.
The Conference Chairman promised to facilitate a meeting between the NGF, Conference of State Legislatures and the leadership of PASAN where all the stakeholders will be able to discuss and highlight issues surrounding the implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures.
“I appreciate the leadership of PASAN in the Southwest for coming to the Oyo State House of Assembly and for paying me a visit. I am happy that the issue of implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures is top on the agenda of our discussion.
“I believe in continuous dialogue and I want to assure you that the leadership of the Conference will facilitate more engagements and discussions with all the stakeholders especially the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to amicable resolution of the matter.”
Speaking earlier, the Zonal Vice President, Southwest, Prince Adewale Adele told the Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria that the essence of the visit was to appeal to all stakeholders particularly the state governors to ensure the full implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures.
Prince Adele commended the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly for his unrelenting efforts which led to the 30 percent negotiated CONLESS approved for the parliamentary staff by Governor Seyi Makinde as well as the reinstated 35 percent legislative allowance for the staff.
According to him, to avoid total shut down of all State Assemblies across the country, the issue of financial autonomy must be resolved as soon as possible.
