Financial Autonomy: Parliamentary Workers Threaten Nationwide Strike

Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has announced plans to shut down both national and state assemblies tomorrow if their demands for financial autonomy for the state assemblies remain unmet at the end of the seven-day ultimatum issued.

The union is demanding immediate implementation of financial autonomy from the governors for state assemblies in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

According to a letter of notice addressed to chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, and chairman Forum of Speakers and the Department of State Security Services (DSS), the workers notified that they had earlier issued 21 days strike notice.

In September, the workers issued a 21-day strike notice, signed by Agugbue Ugochi Happiness, PASAN acting secretary-general where he stated that state governors have failed to implement financial autonomy at the State Houses of Assembly despite numerous letters to the effect.

The letter reads in part, “We refer to our letters dated 18th September, 2023 and 7th of October, 2023 on 21 days ultimatum to embark on industrial action if financial autonomy is not implemented in the State Houses of Assembly nationwide by Wednesday October 18th 2023 and hereby inform you that the leadership of our great union has further extended the ultimatum by one week.

“We therefore hope that the extension would further avail ample opportunity to meet the demands of the union and avert the avoidable industrial action.

“We therefore hereby reiterate the union’s preparedness to direct the members to embark on the proposed strike action if its demands are not yielded to,” the statement added.