National Assembly workers under the umbrella of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) have threatened to embark on a four day strike from Monday, a development that threatens the planned presentation of the 2019 budget proposal on Wednesday.
The aggrieved workers who had staged a protest at the National Assembly Complex are demanding the payment of their allowances.
The latest notice was signed by the Chairman, Comrade Musa Bature Mohammed, and the Secretary, Comrade Suileman Haruna. Titled: ‘Notification of a Four-Day Warning Strike’, the notice read:
“Sequel to our notice of strike as contained in the communiqué dated 29th of November, 2018, the Congress of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), National Assembly Chapter, unanimously resolved at its emergency Congress held on 4th of December, 2018, to embark on a 4-day warning strike, commencing from Monday, 17th-20th December, 2018.
“By this notice, be kindly informed that the entire members of PASAN shall stay off their respective duties on the above-mentioned dates”.
Meanwhile, the Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas while speaking to Vanguard said efforts were being made to prevail on the workers to shelve the planned action.
“We are intervening and we are still on the matter. We even invited and interacted with the Minister of Finance, yesterday (Friday) and the interaction was to know why the money that was supposed to be released to the workers was not released.
“That is to show the extent we are willing to go for the workers to get their dues. What we are appealing for now is for the workers to continue to be understanding. The budget is to be presented by Wednesday, we all know the possible implication on Nigerians, if the document is not presented on that day.
“Our appeal is that since we are still very much on the issue and engaging the critical stakeholders, the workers should reconsider their stand and let the engagement continue for a quick resolution”.
Meanwhile, some members of the House of Reps have threatened to boycott the budget presentation ceremony, if the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma, refuses to tender public apology over the comments he reportedly made describing the lawmakers as unwilling to receive the document.
