By LUCY OSUIZIGBO-OKECHUKWU

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Anambra chapter, said it would continue with its ongoing strike until the allowances that had been recurring in the budget since 2019 were paid. Mr Abraham Okoye, Chairman, of the Association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Awka that the union was not out to fight or witch-hunt the Speaker or the Governor of the state.

According to him, the union is only agitating for its rights which have been denied its members since 2019.NAN reports that the indefinite strike which started on March 28 was over the non-implementation of the full legislative financial autonomy by the state government.

He said: “We had a meeting with the Honourable Speaker, management staff of the State House of Assembly and the representative of the national body of PASAN.

“It was unanimously resolved that the strike continues pending when we are paid all our allowances that have been a recurring decimal in the budget since 2019.

“It is quite obvious that the Anambra state’s condition is quite peculiar but we are still pleading for Legislative autonomy.

“We are pleading with the state government to do the needful so that we can call off the strike and consolidate further on the existing Legislative-Executive relationship.”

Abraham said the National PASAN leadership, led by Mr Mohammed Usman, had written to the Anambra state Governor, demanding full implementation of Sec.121 of the Constitution and other issues concerning welfare and improved conditions of service of workers.

“The letter stated that it is only PASAN staff of Anambra Assembly that are yet to be paid full legislative duty, outfit and hazard allowances in the whole federation and south east in particular.“It said that Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and Enugu PASAN enjoy full payment of the allowances. Legislative duty, outfit and hazard allowances are the constitutional right of the staff of the legislature.

“As obtained in other states, the letter also called for the constitution of the state Legislative Service Commission as provided by Anambra Legislative Service Commission Law, 2022.

“Once Anambra state government implements this, the strike will be suspended,” he said.

Abraham appreciated Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and the Speaker, Dr Somtochukwu Udeze, for the renovation of the state Assembly complex. (NAN)

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