LEGISLATIVE AUTONOMY: PASAN SHUTS DOWN ANAMBRA ASSEMBLY

REPORTER: UCHE NEDEKE

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, (PASAN), Anambra State House of Assembly Chapter, has embarked on an indefinite strike.

This is to press home its demand for a financial autonomy of the legislative arm of government.

When Radio Nigeria visited the House of Assembly Complex, the entrance gate was under lock while some workers who tried coming to work were refused entry.

Some PASAN members were seen at the gate trying to enforce the strike, which, according to them, is a directive from the national body of the association.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria, the Chairman, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter, Mr. Abraham Okoye, said the indefinite strike was as a result the inability of the executive arm of various states to accord full financial autonomy to the legislative organ.

Mr. Okoye said the association had issued a 21 day autmatum followed by another seven day notice but expresressed regret that the state Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, was yet to make any move towards implementation of the demands.

According to PASAN Chairman, section 121 of the Constitution as amended, provides that the three arms of government must be automous from each other to make way for separation of powers and checks and balances.

He noted that since the number one point on the agenda of the Governor Soludo is “rule of law and order,” it was only proper for him to show example with the granting of full autonomy to the legislature.

Mr. Okoye noted with dismay that the continued delay in the process has adversely affected the operations of the legislative staff in many ways.

The PASAN Chairman said it was very pathetic that the the state House of Assembly, with twenty nine standing committees had only one operational vehicle while the state of infrastructure within the complex was in a sorry state.

Some law makers and top legislative staff, including the Acting Clark of the House, Mr. Okechukwu Nwobi; the Acting Deputy Clark Mrs. Cynthia Idemobi and others who came around were all prevented from entering the building as PASAN members stayed till about six o’clock in the evening before dispersing.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU