Oyo State Assembly Appeals to Parliamentary Workers to End Strike

Olubunmi Osoteku, Ibadan.

Last updated Nov 2, 2023

The Clerk, Oyo State House of Assembly (OYHA), Mrs Yetunde Awe, has appealed to workers and staff of the Assembly, particularly the leadership of the workers’ union under the aegis of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) in the state to show understanding and reconsider its ongoing strike action.

The parliamentary workers had, since Monday, shut down the entrance gate of the Assembly Complex in compliance with the directive of the national leadership of the association.

Since the commencement of the strike, the workers had daily assembled at the entrance gate, singing, dancing and refusing both visitors and legislative members access to the Assembly Complex.

Mrs Awe noted that the appeal became imperative to ensure that the prospects of the Oyo State House of Assembly are not hampered and jeopardized through what she described as “unguided pronouncements and actions”.

In a statement, Mrs Awe affirmed that the autonomy of the Legislature and welfare of legislative staff were paramount and being vigorously pursued. She, however, called for caution.

“…Caution ought to be exercised by the leadership and members of PASAN (my humble self presently being the number one member of PASAN).

“This is with a view to ensuring that the prospects of the Oyo State House of Assembly is not hampered and jeopardized through unguided pronouncements and actions.

“I use this opportunity to reiterate the position of the Rt Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, Speaker of Oyo House of Assembly, that concerted efforts are ongoing to ensure that the agitations of PASAN for the autonomy of the Legislature and full implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Scale (CONLESS) are met via dialogue with appropriate quarters.

“Dear leaders of PASAN and all members of staff of Oyo State House of Assembly, I appeal to you that while airing these agitations, make conscious efforts to take cognizance of the prospects of the Oyo State House of Assembly, an institution that ought to be sustained.

“We must leave an enduring legacy for future legislative staff and the upcoming generations.

“Moreover, all hands are on deck to ensure the actualization of financial autonomy of the Legislature and full implementation of the consolidated legislative salary scale.

“Kindly give more room to “jaw-jaw” in the present circumstance,” the statement concluded.