Protesting workers shut state house of assembly

….The Gombe State chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria has shut down the state House of Assembly.

Our correspondent gathered on Tuesday that this complies with the nationwide strike by the association.

Members of the PASAN, in their hundreds, carried placards with different slogans on autonomy, which included that it’s the right of the Assembly, not a privilege, and chanted solidarity songs.

,,,,,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.”

,,,,,,According to Dukku, the assembly would remain closed indefinitely and all staff of the assembly would remain at home.

Also speaking, the state secretary of PASAN, Aminu Aliyu, added that the closure of the state assembly is in line with the directives given by the national body in response to the failure of the Federal Government to implement the financial autonomy granted to 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.