An indefinite strike has been launched by the staff of Anambra State House of Assembly, organized under the umbrella of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, Anambra State Chapter.
The reason behind this industrial action is the failure of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led government to provide full legislative financial autonomy to the Anambra State House of Assembly.
The Chairman of the union, Mr. Abraham Okoye, and the Secretary, Comrade Ugochukwu Obiwulu, issued a circular announcing the strike, citing a directive from the national body of the association.
As stated in the circular displayed at the entrance of the State Assembly complex, the association pointed out that the Anambra State Government has been procrastinating in implementing legislative financial autonomy, despite receiving multiple letters from both the state and national PASAN bodies.
In the communication addressed to Speaker Somtochukwu Udeze, it was explained that the state government’s failure to honor the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, through the Conference of Speakers, prompted the National Secretariat of PASAN to instruct all members to commence an indefinite strike starting from Thursday, March 28, 2024.
PASAN, in a letter dated March 27, 2024, stated that the strike was initiated after the deadline set on March 6, 2024, for the full implementation of financial autonomy, as per Section 121 of the 1999 Constitution, had expired.
On Thursday, the Anambra Assembly Complex was completely deserted, with no staff present despite the usual session scheduled for lawmakers on that day.
The legislative members, following their session on Tuesday, March 26, had adjourned until Thursday, March 28, 2024, for plenary. However, the strike disrupted the planned proceedings on Thursday.