The Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly and Vice Chairman Conference of Speakers in Nigeria Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye says efforts are in top gear to address the grievances of workers of State Houses of Assembly who have been on strike in the past few days.
In a statement from the office of his Special Adviser on Media, Babajide Agbeyo, stemming from a media interview on Wednesday, Aribasoye admitted that the strike has adversely affected legislative activities and preparation for budget passage in Ekiti and other states.
The Ekiti Speaker pointed out that Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN has valid demands but a far reaching resolution will have to accommodate the input of state governors, National Assembly leadership and other critical stakeholders.
He said Conference of Speakers is also not resting over the matter.
‘We were in Abuja over the weekend to discuss. We’re discussing with the leadership of PASAN. We can’t say no to their demands but it will require the meeting of all stakeholders; Governors’ forum, leadership of Conference of Speakers, and even the National Assembly leadership.’ Aribasoye explained.
According to him , the subject of autonomy being highlighted is constitutional , and the conference of Speakers has met and will further meet to ensure speedy resolution and fine tuning of the bone of contention.
‘The issue of autonomy is already guaranteed by the constitution. Probably they want the full implementation of section 121 of the constitution under the fifth alteration to the 1999 constitution as amended. On our part we’re meeting and we’ll still meet to ensure speedy resolution’. He assured.
Aribasoye expressed optimism that the strike will soon be over to give lawmakers room for legislative duties and to even attend to other issues that may still be of benefit to PASAN immediately or ultimately.
PASAN has been agitating that the provision of section 121 of the constitution be implemented granting financial autonomy for state assemblies.
Babajide Agbeyo
SA, Media to the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly.