ANAMBRA/Nigeria: The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State to intervene in the ongoing crisis between legislators and staff of the state Assembly. The dispute revolves around poor working conditions, welfare grievances, and the alleged use of corps members to carry out legislative business.
National Vice-President of PASAN-South East, Mr. Promise Onwukwe, made the appeal during a peaceful protest in Awka. The protest highlighted issues such as non-payment of allowances, the use of corps members for legislative activities, and the failure to implement the Anambra Fund Management Law and full legislative financial autonomy.
Despite the protesters’ display of placards with messages demanding the implementation of allowances budgeted since 2019 and the honoring of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the state Assembly continued its plenary session.
According to Onwukwe, the state government has failed to implement agreements concerning financial autonomy, Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS), and payment of allowances. He criticized the payment of only N1000 as an allowance to Anambra state House of Assembly staff, highlighting that other states enjoy additional allowances.
Furthermore, Onwukwe condemned the alleged use of corps members for legislative activities, calling it illegal and unparliamentary. He urged Governor Soludo to intervene and bring a lasting solution to the crisis.
In response, Mr. Ikenna Ofodeme, the Majority Leader of the State Assembly, stated that the PASAN protest was not in the interest of the state. He clarified that Assembly staff are deployed from the Head of Service and should address their demands through the appropriate channels.
Ofodeme also denied the use of corps members for legislative business, emphasizing that the Assembly remains committed to enacting developmental laws for the progress of the state.
