By Beauty John, LAFIA
The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), has threatened to shut
down all states of the Federation, if the financial autonomy of state Houses of Assembly is not implemented.
National President of the association, Comrade Mohammmed Usman, who led other National officials of the association on a courtesy visit on the Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, reiterated this in Lafia,Thursday.
Usman said that the implementation of the financial autonomy for the state Houses of Assembly would strengthen the institution, legislative duties of the state lawmakers and would ensure optimal productivity by staff of the state Houses of Assembly.
He further advocated for the speedy establishment of state Houses of Assembly Service Commission.
” We are here to discuss some issues with our members. First of the issues is the financial autonomy of the state Houses of assembly and the second issue is the establishment of the state Houses of Assembly Service Commission”.
He opined that as parliamentarians, their independence is paramount in order to enhance their productivity and to deliver their mandate.
” Nasarawa State is our first point of visit due to its proximity to Abuja as we are going round across the 36 states of the federation.
” We will move to ensure that the state Houses of assembly financial autonomy is implemented, We have being patient for long over the delay in the implementation of the financial autonomy.
” If things are not done appropriately as provided by the law and our rights being denied,we will have no option than to shut down assemblies and the states as a whole,” he warned.
Responding, RT. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the speaker of Nasarawa State House of Assembly also said that the financial autonomy of the state legislators would boost productivity among the legislators and staff.
” I have heard all what you have said. The financial autonomy itself came from the presidency and we have given it our support and by God’s grace it will be implemented,” the speaker said.
The speaker, represented by his deputy, Rt.Hon. Nehemiah Tsentse Dandaura , assured them that the state has established its commission already.
Recall that on May 22, 2020 President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja signed an executive Order for the implementation of financial autonomy for the legislature and the judiciary at the state levels
The Executive Order No 10,of 2020 follows a Presidential Implementation Committee constituted to fashion out strategies and modalities for the implementation of financial autonomy for states’ Legislature and Judiciary in compliance with section 121(3) of the Constitution.
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