Gombe: Protesting workers shut state assembly complex
By Matthew Atungwu
The Gombe State chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), has shut down the state House of Assembly.
Information gathered on Tuesday indicated that shutting down of the assembly complex aligns with the association’s nationwide strike.
Numerous PASAN members yelled solidarity songs and carried signs with various statements on autonomy, such as “Autonomy is the right of the Assembly, not a privilege.”
Briefing newsmen at the main gate of the state assembly, the state chairman of the association, Mohammed Dukku, said “The measure is the only option considering the fact that the Federal Government failed to obey section 121 (3a) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which pave the way for the legislative autonomy.”
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Dukku declared that all assembly staff would stay at home and that the assembly would remain closed indefinitely.
Speaking also, PASAN’s state secretary, Aminu Aliyu, stated that the state assembly’s shutdown is compliant with the national body’s guidelines following the Federal Government’s inability to carry out the financial autonomy bestowed upon the houses of assembly.
“This autonomy was granted by former President Muhammadu Buhari nationwide. Despite several meetings, it has not been implemented,” he added.
Also, a member of the union and a staff member of the Assembly, Solomon Livinus, said they support the strike, “even though negotiations are ongoing, but they would remain at home,” Livinus added.