The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has joined the nationwide indefinite strike to agitate for the implementation of financial autonomy, shutting down the State House of Assembly complex.
The Union’s State Chairman, Comrade Uduak Ebong Okon, disclosed this while addressing media practitioners at the State Assembly Complex on Monday, October 30, 2023.
In her words, “We are joining our counterparts across the nation today to embark on an indefinite strike to agitate for the implementation of financial autonomy, legislative outfit allowance, legislative salary structure, PASAN legislative week, legislative duty allowance, and staff training.”
“To fulfil our primary task as legislative staff towards legislative financial autonomy, we ensured that President Muhammadu Buhari granted financial autonomy to the legislature in 2020; now we are waiting for the state government to give assent to the bill passed into law by the State Assembly.”
Fielding questions on when the strike will end, Comrade Okon said the strike will only end when all the state governors have come together to comply with the ultimatum given to them at the national”
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Speaking further, the Legal Adviser of PASAN, Akwa Ibom chapter, Barr. Victor Idiong expressed concern over the ongoing struggle that began in 2020. He said the state government must meet the association’s demands.
“We are appealing to the state government to implement full financial autonomy for the legislative arm of government, and we believe once the autonomy is implemented, other issues highlighted will be addressed.”
Idiong said the strike affects the 26 House Members, the Clerk, and other legislative staff in the State Assembly, adding that the association would continue the strike until the association’s demands are met.
