POLITICS
Strike : Abia Parliamentary Workers Threaten not to Reopen Assembly Complex
The Abia Chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), on Friday, threatened not to reopen the State House of Assembly, until its demands were met.
Reports says that since October 30 that the assembly complex was shut, the leadership of the group has continued to converge on the assembly gate to enforce total compliance.
NAN further reports that the house has since then been under lock and key.
The body is demanding financial and legislative autonomy of the state legislature nationwide.
The workers decried what they described as the “nonchalant attitude of the state government” over the matter.
They, therefore, insisted that they would not call off the action nor reopen the assembly complex until they achieved “something tangible” for themselves.
The state PASAN Chairman, Mr Sunday Kalu, told newsmen in Umuahia that the group was in shock that no government official had come to address them since the past two weeks the action commenced.
Kalu said that their demands had the backing of the state law, which was properly passed and assented to by the governor.
He said: “We have been at this gate for two weeks, hoping that the Speaker will come and address his people and know how to relate with the executive, but we have not seen him or any House functionary.
“We are still waiting.
“We will not relent in making sure that the institution, called the legislature, is properly constituted and ready to deliver its services.
“The union is still agitating for the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure, which is for every legislative worker in Nigeria, but as at today, nothing has been done.”
According to him, it is a national strike, but we are speaking up in Abia because we are far below what other states are doing.
Kalu also spoke on the perceived delay in the inauguration of the seven-member Abia State House of Assembly Service Commission.
He said that the union was tired of promises it had been getting from the State Government.
He kicked against the alleged plan by the state lawmakers to sit outside the assembly complex to confirm the recently nominated Transition Committee (TC) Chairmen for the 17 Local Government Councils.
“We are totally against it and I don’t know how they will sit without the mace, Clerk and the secretaries, who are parliamentary staff.
“You can’t go to your personal residence or lodge to clear the TC Chairmen, while nothing has been done about your own commission, which you are the major beneficiary,” Kalu said.
In a swift reaction, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Augustine Mmeregini, who spoke via cellphone, queried why the union would say that neither the stpeaker nor any of the leadership of the house had yet to address them.
Mmeregini, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Information, said that the Speaker, himself and few other officials met with the union leaders and promised them that they would meet the governor to resolve the matter soon.
“We met with them two days ago and told them that we stand with them.
“Having met with the union leaders, do they now expect us to go to Abuja and address them openly or stay at the assembly gate with them?, he asked. (NAN)
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has dissolved his cabinet ahead of the Nov.12 swearing-in of Sen. Monday Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the new governor of the state.
Report says that Obaseki who came into office on November 12, 2016 is expected to end his eight years tenure on November 12, 2024.
Obaseki dissolved the cabinet shortly after a valedictory session held at the Government House on Friday in Benin.
The motion for the dissolution of the State Executive Council for 2020-2024 was moved by his deputy, Godwins Omobayo, and was seconded by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Osilama Okuofu.
At the valedictory session, the governor commended members of the council for helping him in driving the government’s vision of making Edo great again.
Obaseki also commended citizens of the state for supporting, praying and collaborating with his administration throughout his tenure.
Members of the cabinet took turns to eulogise the governor and acknowledged his many achievements in various sectors.
They also commended the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve the people of the state in their various capacities.
The outgoing commissioners and Heads of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) also took turns to present awards and gifts to honour the governor.
The valedictory session for the outgoing state executive council climaxed with a dinner in honour of the state governor. (NAN)
Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has presented a budget of N549 billion for 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly for passage into law.
Presenting the proposal tagged ‘‘Budget of Hope, Human Capital and Economic Development’’ on Friday in Kano, Yusuf said it was aimed at consolidating and improving the wellbeing of the people of the state.
He said that the budget consist of N312 billion for capital expenditure and N236 billion for recurrent expenditure.
According to him, the 2025 budget, when approved, is projected to have a ratio of capital to recurrent 57:43 per cent respectively.
The governor explained that most of the capital spending would be in the Social and Economic Sectors to the tune of N 461 billion.
He also said that the Education Sector got a lion share of N168 billion more than the UNESCO and UN recommendations, adding that the figure represents 31 per cent, while the Health Sector received N90 billion representing 16. 50 per cent.
He added that the fund would be spent on executing policies and programmes aimed at ensuring quality and education at all levels.
He also said that N21 billion representing 3.83 per cent was earmarked for the Agricultural Sector, while Infrastructure Development got N70 billion representing 12.87 percent.
“N23 billion representing four per cent was set aside for Security, Justice and Emergency Services, while Water Supply and Rural Development got N27 billion representing 4.96 percent,” he explained.
The governor urged the lawmakers to ensure speedy passage of the budget, to enable the government continue to provide dividends of democracy to the people.
The Speaker, Jibrin Falgore, assured the governor of speedy passage of the budget to create time for January to December budget circle.
The Speaker also commended the governor for his stride in infrastructure development, security, health and education.(NAN)
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A Youth Advocate on grassroots advancement, Andrew Ochika has urged the newly elected chairman of Dekina Local Government Area in Kogi state, John Ura Ikani to key into Governor Usman Ododo’s development agenda.Ochika in an interview with Our Correspondent, said that the call has become necessary to boost accelerated development down to rural communities in Dekina Local Government Area.
Ochika, a member of Okoyi Community Youth Development, lamented lack of basic infrastructure in Dekina Local Government Area saying that the new Chairman has all it takes to deliver on his mandate and correct the anomaly. The Youth Advocate, who described the overwhelming victory of the Chairman in the just concluded council polls as well deserved, called on him to strive to justify the confidence reposed in him through the provision of democracy dividends to all communities in the local government area.According to him “the new Chairman, John Ura Ikani was a tested leader who performed excellently as Care-taker Chairman. I believe that now that he is elected as executive chairman, he has the capacity to deliver better than before”He urged the Chairman to sustain his tempo in grading of rural roads, provision of health facilities, rural electrification and drilling of bore-holes to ensure potable water supply in the area.He called on the people of the local government to cooperate with the Chairman in his efforts to uplift their living standards.
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