PASAN PROTEST IN AWKA, INSISTS ON FINANCIAL AUTONOMY FOR LEGISLATURE
Reporter : UCHE NDEKE
Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has called on the Nigeria Governors Forum to immediately commence the implementation of the constitutional provisions that provides financial autonomy for the legislative arm of government.
The Anambra State House of Assembly workers of the union made the call in Awka the state capital during a peaceful demonstration to drive home their stand on the ongoing nationwide strike by the association.
The legislative workers carried placards with various inscriptions as they blocked the entrance gate leading to the state House of Assembly.
On the placards were several calls and demands like “Nigeria governors forum uphold and ensure that the constitution guarantees that separation of power,” “Our autonomy or Nothing,” “Nigeria governors forum uphold and ensure that the constitution guarantees separation of power,” “Legislative autonomy is the bedrock of democracy,” among others.
The Anambra State House of Assembly had adjourned sitting till the April 20, 2021 after it went on Easter break.
However the law-makers could not sit as the gates to the legislative building were blocked by members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), who chanted solidarity songs.
Speaking with journalists, the Chairman of PASAN in the state, Comrade Clinton Onubuiyi, said for democracy to thrive, there must be total separation of powers among the three arms of government, a course the workers were ready to uphold.
According to Comrade Onubuiyi, it has become imperative for the governors forum to without further deliberations grant the constitutional provisions, which he said was healthy for the growth of the nations democracy.
He noted that PASAN was aware of the terms and conditions set out for implementation but would not settle for anything less than total and immediate granting of legislative autonomy.
In an interview, a member of the association, Comrade Onyinye Ibeh, expressed regret the three weeks old strike had adversely affected them and appealed to the governors to do the needful.
In a telephone interview, the Clark of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Pius Udo, confirmed that the law makers could not reconvene due to the ongoing strike by PASAN.
Investigation by Radio Nigeria revealed that the law makers had planned to reconvene to enable them consider the extension of tenure for transition committee chairmen in the twenty-one local government areas but could not sit due to the strike action.