Members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) have begun the nationwide strike over autonomy.
The workers, who ignored the call made by the Chairman, Conference of Speakers, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, picketed the gates to the state House of Assemblies and prevented the lawmakers from gaining entry into the complex.
In Oyo State, legislative workers were seen carrying placards with inscriptions to drive home their demands. while some sat while others gyrated to the sounds of music that blared to enliven the spirit of the protest.
The industrial action of the legislative staff in Oyo State follows through from the expiration of the ultimatum of the national body of PASAN as well as the peculiar agitations of the state chapter of the union.
Chairman, Oyo State chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Mr. Yemi Alade, said that the legislative staff are seeking implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures, calling on governor Seyi Makinde to comply with section 121 (3a, 3b and 4a) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).
The Chairman also noted that the workers are also calling for implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structures (CONLESS) for staff of the Assembly and Commission.
“Another agitation is full implementation of the salary structures with other legislative allowances at 100 percent.
“Furthermore, the Oyo PASAN is demanding amendment to the find management law which they note is in conflict with the welfare of staff.
“This is as they are calling for immediate and unconditional assent to the Oyo State House of Assembly Service Commission bill as passed by the state Assembly in 2023.”
Alade said the strike was indefinite and the blocking of gates will continue until their demands are met.
Reacting to the meeting between the Chairman, Conference, Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin and the national leadership of PASAN at the weekend, Alade said that legislative staff were yet to see the results of promised meeting with the governor’s forum on the PASAN agitations
The Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of PASAN, Umaru Haruna, explained that the National President of PASAN, Mohammed Usman, had directed all chairmen and secretaries to galvanise members into action for a total shut down of activities.
He added that the nationwide peaceful protest was being complied with by Edo State PASAN members after the expiration of two days ultimatum given to the government and governors of the 36 states to implement autonomy in all legislative houses of the country, which was further extended by one week and ended on October 27, 2023.
“The issue of Autonomy is a constitutional matter. You know it has been passed by the National Assembly and was assented to by the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari.
“All we need is for the government to start implementation. But as we speak today, nothing has been done. The 36 states of Houses of Assembly, you can call them rubber stamps because they are not on their feet simply because they are not on autonomy. We are not just fighting for the staff of legislators; we are fighting to deepen the dividends of democracy for Nigerians.
“The essence of separation of power is when autonomy is in operation, but as we speak today, the governors are doing whatever they like, and nobody is asking them questions. This is because the Houses of Assembly on their own dare not speak because they are not autonomous bodies. This is the struggle we are in.”
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