PASAN Strike; Conference Of Speakers Assure Early Resolution

By Ayodele Oni

As the nationwide strike by workers of the National and State Assemblies under Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, (PASAN) enters third day on Wednesday, the vice chairman, Conference of Speakers in Nigeria,

Adeoye Aribasoye, has assured that issues which led to the strike are being addressed.

Aribasoye, who is Speaker, Ekiti state House of Assembly, in a statement on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti, said efforts are in top gear to address the grievances of workers of State Houses of Assembly who have been on strike in the past few days.

The statement signed by Special Adviser Media, Babajide Agbeyo, to the speaker, noted that Aribasoye admitted that the strike has adversely affected legislative activities and preparation for budget passage in Ekiti and other states.

The Ekiti Speaker pointed out that members of PASAN have valid demands, but a far reaching resolution will have to accommodate the input of state governors, National Assembly leadership and other critical stakeholders.

According yo the statement, the Conference of Speakers is also not resting over the matter.

“We were in Abuja over the weekend to discuss. We’re discussing with the leadership of PASAN.

“We can’t say no to their demands but it will require the meeting of all stakeholders; Governors’ forum, leadership of Conference of Speakers, and even the National Assembly leadership.

“The subject of autonomy being highlighted is constitutional , and the conference of Speakers has met and will further meet to ensure speedy resolution and fine tuning of the bone of contention.

“The issue of autonomy is already guaranteed by the constitution. Probably they want the full implementation of section 121 of the constitution under the fifth alteration  to the 1999 constitution as amended.

“On our part, we’re meeting and we’ll still meet to ensure speedy resolution.”

Aribasoye expressed optimism that the strike will soon be over to give lawmakers room for legislative duties and to even attend to other issues that may still be of benefit to PASAN immediately or ultimately.

PASAN has been agitating that the provision of section 121 of the constitution granting financial autonomy for state assemblies be implemented.