Anambra parliamentary workers begin indefinite strike over financial autonomy
The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Anambra chapter, on Thursday commenced an indefinite strike over the state government’s non-implementation of full legislative financial autonomy.
This is contained in a circular signed by the association’s chairman and secretary, Abraham Okoye and Ugochukwu Obiwulu, in Awka, Anambra.
The parliament adjourned its sitting until April 11, at the end of Tuesday’s plenary.
A visit to the assembly complex revealed that no legislators or staff, except security personnel, were seen around.
Ifeoma Okoli, PASAN vice-chairman in Anambra, said the industrial action followed a directive and circular received from the association’s national body.
Ms Okoli said the strike also followed the expiration of the ultimatum issued on March 6 over the full implementation of financial autonomy for state assemblies.
According to her, implementing financial autonomy is in accordance with section 121 of the 1999 constitution, as amended.
“The Anambra state government has failed to implement the memorandum of understanding reached with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum through the Conference of Speakers. The state government is dragging its feet over the implementation of legislative financial autonomy in spite of receiving a series of letters from both the state and national body of PASAN.
“This warranted the National secretariat of PASAN to direct all its members to embark on an indefinite industrial action with effect from Thursday, March 28,” she said.
PASAN suspended its three-week nationwide indefinite strike to compel appropriate authorities to implement financial autonomy for state assemblies in November 2023.
The suspension came after an agreement was reached between the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly and the PASAN national executive in November 2023.
Part of the agreement includes full implementation of the financial autonomy of the state assemblies commencing from January 2024 and full implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS).
(NAN)
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