National Assembly Service Commission backs PASAN over agitation for financial autonomy of State Houses of Assembly
Akinlabi Afolabi, Ibadan
The National Assembly Service Commission has thrown weight behind the ongoing nationwide strike staged by the Members of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), aimed at achieving full implementation of financial autonomy of State Houses of Assembly.
The National Assembly Service Commission, through its delegation sent to Oyo state on Monday to declare support for the state House of Assembly Service Commission on its struggle for the legislative arm’s autonomy, said the national body of the commission has commenced a review of the schemes of service in the National Assembly Service, in bid to aide smooth operations of the states’ houses of assembly.
While addressing newsmen after the meeting held in Ibadan with the leadership of the Oyo state house of assembly service commission, the leader of the delegation, Honorable Akeem Akamo, explained that the visit became necessary to enlighten the state executives and politicians on the need to empower the states’ houses of assembly service commission to perform its constitutional functions independently and with ease.
“The establishment of State Assembly Service Commission is not only a constitutional matter, but also ensure effective development of the legislative service, which is the pivot of our democracy. The establishment of the State Assembly Commission will also ensure the creation of a crop of personnel that are dedicated, committed, loyal and highly professionalized for the service of the Legislature. The main responsibility of those who serve the Legislatures, as a whole, is to advice on Parliamentary procedures and practices.”
When quizzed if the delegation is satisfied with the preparation of the Oyo State House of Assembly Service Commission to get financial autonomy, Honorable Akamo expressed satisfaction with the readiness of the state house of Assembly Service Commission towards becoming financially reliant.
” we are satisfied with the readiness of the Oyo State Assembly toward the becoming financially reliant which is due in term as all hands on desk to ensure it. We encourage them to operate the financial autonomy for ease of its functions.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Oyo State House of Assembly Service Commission, Honorable Abdulwasi Musa, hinted that the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has agreed to grant the state House of Assembly and its Service Commission financial autonomy.
He, however, noted that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum is in talks with the forum of speakers of houses of assembly in the country to call off the ongoing industrial action by the Members of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN).
“Rt Hon Debo Ogundoyin and I met with his excellency on the issue concerning the strike and I can assure you that we are working toward bringing back activities to State Assembly. You are aware it is not only Oyo State Assembly but Nationwide and very soon ,they are resuming.”
It would be recalled that workers in the various state Houses Assembly under the auspices of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) are currently on strike over agitation for full implementation of financial autonomy for the legislature.
