Financial Autonomy: Parliamentary Workers Commence Indefinite Strike

The national leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association
of Nigeria (PASAN) has declared an indefinite strike across the 36
states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

At a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, PASAN National
President, Usman Mohammed, directed members of the union to embark
on industrial action from Tuesday morning.

He explained that directive became necessary following the
unwillingness of the Federal Government to implement the Financial
Autonomy Act of 2018 and Presidential Order 10.

Mohammed, who noted that the union had explored all available
options to avert the strike, decried that their efforts had yet to
yield any positive result.

“The union having exhausted all attempts aimed at asking for the
implementation of the financial autonomy by the Federal Government
after 21 days, 14 days and seven days ultimatums; at this juncture,
the union has no other option than to direct our members to embark
on an indefinite strike,” he said.

According to the PASAN president, the union has been magnanimous
by allowing ample time in the last two years for the government,
through the Presidential Implementation Committee on Financial
Autonomy for State Judiciary and Legislature, to implement the
provisions of the Constitution.

He added that members of the union have run out of patience and
have resolved to put an end to further delays to the implementation
of the Financial Autonomy Act.

“The union will, consequently, commence strike action on the
morning of Tuesday, March 23, 2021, until full implementation of
the letters of our constitution, as provided in section 121 (3) of
the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as
amended) and Presidential Order 10,2020,” Mohammed stated.

The parliamentary workers downed tools two weeks after they
staged a protest at the gate of the National Assembly in Abuja.

During the demonstration which held on March 9, they had
threatened to continue the protest and occupy all State Houses of
Assembly if their demands were not met.

The workers had also called on the members of the National
Assembly to take the necessary steps to ensure the implementation
of financial autonomy for the judiciary.

The national leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association
of Nigeria (PASAN) has declared an indefinite strike across the 36
states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

At a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, PASAN National
President, Usman Mohammed, directed members of the union to embark
on industrial action from Tuesday morning.

He explained that directive became necessary following the
unwillingness of the Federal Government to implement the Financial
Autonomy Act of 2018 and Presidential Order 10.

Mohammed, who noted that the union had explored all available
options to avert the strike, decried that their efforts had yet to
yield any positive result.

“The union having exhausted all attempts aimed at asking for the
implementation of the financial autonomy by the Federal Government
after 21 days, 14 days and seven days ultimatums; at this juncture,
the union has no other option than to direct our members to embark
on an indefinite strike,” he said.

According to the PASAN president, the union has been magnanimous
by allowing ample time in the last two years for the government,
through the Presidential Implementation Committee on Financial
Autonomy for State Judiciary and Legislature, to implement the
provisions of the Constitution.

He added that members of the union have run out of patience and
have resolved to put an end to further delays to the implementation
of the Financial Autonomy Act.

“The union will, consequently, commence strike action on the
morning of Tuesday, March 23, 2021, until full implementation of
the letters of our constitution, as provided in section 121 (3) of
the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as
amended) and Presidential Order 10,2020,” Mohammed stated.

The parliamentary workers downed tools two weeks after they
staged a protest at the gate of the National Assembly in Abuja.

During the demonstration which held on March 9, they had
threatened to continue the protest and occupy all State Houses of
Assembly if their demands were not met.

The workers had also called on the members of the National
Assembly to take the necessary steps to ensure the implementation
of financial autonomy for the judiciary.