By Saminu Ibrahim
The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has condemned move by the management of National institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) to proscribe the union in the institute.
The union unveiled attempt to suspend her members from service, and called for immediate reversal of what it described as anti-labour actions or face industrial action from PASAN.
This comes as the union canvassed implementation of Unified Conditions of Service for Legislative Staff of the Federation and the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) at all levels.
A communique at the end of 18th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of PASAN and jointly signed by Comrade Muhammed Usman and Comrade D. Y. Suleman,National President and Secretary General of PASAN respectively hailed the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamilla and the Management of the National Assembly led by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Arc. Amos Ojo fortheir unflinching support to the upliftment of PASAN in Nigeria.
The National Executive Council of PASAN also expressed her disappointment over the lukewarm attitude of the Speakers Forum over the Governor’s joint suite at the court challenging the Financial Autonomy of the State Legislature.
“That NEC is displeased with the delay in the implementation of Financial Autonomy of State legislature”
Consequently, PASAN said it shall not hesitate to commence the process ofindustrial action immediately to ensure its implementation.
Speaking shortly after the meeting, National President, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Comrade Mohammed Usman, said “we arrived at this communique based on the issue on the financial autonomy, at least the Order 10 signed by President Muhammad Buhari, which is a constitutional issue.
“It is unfortunate that after the passage of the issuance of Order 10, the governors are still relenting to implement it. The financial autonomy is what will give the legislators independence, apart from that, it will strengthen the legislature and democracy.
“But it is unfortunate that the state governors are kicking on this issue, the same provision in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which brought them into power.
“So, we have being patiently waiting for the implementation of the autonomy, but up until this very moment, nothing have been done about it.
“In our communique, we blamed the Speakers Forum who have shown nonchalant attitude towards the realization of the financial autonomy.
“So, on our own the parliamentary staff association of Nigeria have looked at it vividly in our last NEC meeting and decided to come up with our resolution. The resolutions is what is captured in our communique, that we will seek for independence ourselves, if the speakers of the state house of assemblies cannot do this.
“It is so unfortunate that we have to go this far, but I think this is just the best way to tackle these issues. We will fight for our independence, and if the needful is not done, we will take a step further.
“A step further will be showing our grievances by may be shutting down the whole States House of Assemblies. We still said that we will hold the speakers responsible by showing nonchalant attitude towards the financial autonomy” Usman said.
