By Mosope Kehinde
Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, Southwest Zone has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on governors to respect the agreement reached with state assembly workers on the full implementation of financial autonomy.
The association, which made the call while speaking with newsmen during its zonal meeting, held in Ibadan, Oyo State capital said the call on the president was imperative to avert another strike which could cripple Legislative activities across the nation.
Speaking on behalf of the association, the PASAN Zonal President, Mr Adele Adewale said the ultimatum given for the implementation of legislative financial autonomy has expired according to the signed agreement with no positive response from State Governors, except for Benue state.
“The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria South West Zone sincerely commend the Executive Governor of Benue State Rev. Hycathin Alia who recently assented to the legislative fund management law.
“This laudable gesture of Benue State Governor bears 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. There is no doubt he has written his name on the sand of time and history will forever be kind to him.
Mr. Adewale said the suspension of the industrial action then was given the confidence the Association reposed in the negotiators and in consideration of the essential roles of the legislative arm in the budget process as states prepared for the year 2024 budget estimates.
The zonal president said the Association considered 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).
“Ladies and gentlemen, 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.
“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.
“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 SOUTH WEST will stand firm to vehemently resist any attempt to subvert the quest for the implementation of legislative financial autonomy.
Earlier, during a courtesy visit, the Chairman, Nigeria Conference of Speakers of state legislature who doubles as speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin promised to facilitate a meeting involving the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Conference of Speakers and leadership of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN to discuss the implementation of legislative autonomy.
Our correspondent reports that PASAN chairmen across Southwest states were present at the meeting.
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