Local Government Autonomy: PASAN bemoans Speakers position

Tunde Opalana, Abuja

Parliamentary workers across the country under the auspice of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has bemoaned what is described as non – proactive steps by Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly on local government autonomy bills.

The parliamentary leaders were accused of not pressuring their state governors to sign the bill into law in their respective states.

PASAN berated the Speakers for playing politics with the chance of changing the fortune of Nigerians through effective and efficient local government administration in the country.

This was contained in a communique signed by the National President and Secretary General, Comrade Mohammed Usman and Comrade Hammed Awobifa respectively, after it 19th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) held in Abuja.

On the front burner of issues deliberated at the meeting were welfare of members and the progress of the financial autonomy for the legislature.

At the end of deliberation, the Council commends the National Executive Council (NEC), the Central Working Committee (CWC), and Chapters of the union for their unalloyed support, resilience and steadfastness to the struggle for Financial Autonomy.

“National Executive Council (NEC) in session is displeased at the breach of the Memorandum of Action (MOA) entered with the Governors Forum by the Governors.

“National Executive Council (NEC) in session is disappointed at the Speakers of the Houses of Assemblies lackadaisical attitude for failing to pass the necessary legislations, and for their inability to influence the Governors to sign same and set up necessary apparatus for the proper implementation of the autonomy.

“National Executive Council (NEC) in session frowns at the victimization of our members in Rivers State, whose salaries were slashed for participating in the lawful industrial action as directed by the union and granted by the extant labour laws. NEC therefore calls on the Rivers State. Government should refund the slashed salaries,” the communique said.

According to the communique, NEC in session supports the 5 years extension of service years for the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assemblies staffs.