…Threatens to resume strike
By Adeyinka Adeniran
Legislative workers under the aegis of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) Southwest Zone has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on state governors to respect the position of the law on financial autonomy for state legislatures as stipulated in the constitution.
The Association said the call became imperative in a bid to avert another strike which could cripple legislative duties across the nation, particularly at this critical economic period.
The Zonal body made the appeal on Thursday during a Press Conference, shortly after the Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) meeting held at the Western Hall, House of Assembly Complex, Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The meeting was attended by the Zonal Vice President, Prince Adewale Adele; National Treasurer, Comrade Gbenga Oluwajuyigbe; Chairmen and Secretaries of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo state chapters among other leaders.
The Nation reports that, in November 2023, Parliamentary workers across the country embarked on a nationwide strike to demand for the immediate implementation of legislative financial autonomy for the state legislatures.
The industrial action which lasted for three weeks was suspended following a jointly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the Chairmen of the Conference of the Speakers and Nigeria Governors Forum to the effect that legislative financial autonomy for the state legislatures would take effect across the country by 28th February, 2024.
However, the Zonal Vice President, while speaking said it was disheartening that despite the luxury of time provided by the MoU, legislative financial autonomy for the state legislature is yet to be granted by the governors.
He commend the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Hycathin Alia who recently assented the legislative fund management law.
He noted that the laudable gesture of the Benue State Governor bear testament to the fact that he’s indeed a democrat who is so passionate about upholding and strengthening the principle of separation of power among the three arms of government in the state.
Prince Adele said, “The suspension of the industrial action then was in view of the confidence the Association reposed in the negotiators and also in consideration of the essential roles of the legislative Arm in the budget process as states prepare for Y2024 budget estimates.
“The MoU partly read that PASAN is at liberty to resume its strike if the governors renege on the agreement to implement legislative financial autonomy after the expiration of the ultimatum. It is disheartening to note that despite the luxury of time provided by the MoU, legislative financial autonomy for the state legislature is yet be granted by the governors’.
“The ultimatum given for the implementation of legislative financial autonomy has expired according to the signed agreement with no positive response from the state governors except for Benue.”
He said further “Consequently, the Association considers the non-compliance of the Nigeria Governors Forum with the MoU as a breach of trust and a grave violation of section 121 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“We are optimistic that the implementation of full legislative financial autonomy will strengthen the state Houses of Assembly Service Commission, enhance the career progression of the legislative staff and also resolve issues like non-remittance of legislative staff monthly deductions e.g cooperative and pension deductions, non-payment of legislative staff wardrobe allowance, non-implementation of CONLESS as well as other germane issues bothering on the welfare of the parliamentary staffers across the federation.
“To avert another strike which could cripple legislative activities across the nation at this critical economic period, we respectfully call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevail on the state governors to respect the position of the law on financial autonomy for state legislatures as stipulated in the constitution.
“While we are awaiting further directive from the national secretariat of our union on the next line of action, it is pertinent to state that members of the ZEC of PASAN Southwest will stand firm to vehemently resist any attempt to subvert the quest for the implementation of legislative financial autonomy.”
