Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has called for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the full implementation of financial autonomy for states’ Houses of Assembly in the country.
The association urged the president to prevail on the state governors to guarantee full implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures to avert another industrial action.
It would be recalled that the PASAN suspended its last strike following a jointly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the Chairmen of the Conference of the Speakers and Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to the effect that legislative financial autonomy for the state legislatures would take effect across the country by 28th February, 2024.
PASAN’s zonal vice president, south-west, Mr Adele Adewale stated this while addressing journalists after a meeting of the zonal executive committee of the PASAN held at the Western Hall, state Secretariat, Ibadan
He said the warning became expedient following the expiration of the ultimatum given governors to implement legislative financial autonomy in their respective states.
The association described 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).
Calling for quick action by governors, he noted that the MOU had a clause that the PASAN could resume its strike at any time if the governors reneged on the agreement at the expiration of the ultimatum.
Adele noted that only Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia had started implementation of full legislative financial autonomy by his recent assent to the legislative fund management law.
While Benue had fully implemented financial autonomy, he said it was noteworthy that Lagos and Oyo States had initiated moves in that regard.
The PASAN vice president stressed that states legislatures having full autonomy would strengthen the state Houses of Assembly Service Commission, enhance career progression of the legislative staff.
