State Assemblies, Courts likely to resume next week – Federal Government

By Sunday Awosoro.

The Federal Government of Nigeria, has through the minister of labour and employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, displayed hope that Courts and State Assemblies might get back to work next week. This was said, in consideration of the conclusion reached at a closed door meeting with the associations of the striking workers.

The closed door meeting held on Friday, in Abuja was to clarify all grey areas in the Memorandum Action (MoA) that was reached on 20th of May.

The Vent Republic (TVR) recalled that the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) had on 6th of April, gone on a nation wide strike.

The strike, which began after the federal government’s failure to implement an order acknowledging financial autonomy for the legislature and judiciary in all states, despite a 21-day ultimatum earlier given.

The minister, in his address said:

“So, today we met with the unions in a small dialogue to dot the i’s and cross the t’s in the agreement which we agreed on May 20.

“Right now, we expect the unions to go back to their members and give them final briefing on what we have achieved today.

“And with this achievement of today, we are hopeful that by next week, the chambers of our courts and the doors of the state assemblies will be open for business activities.”

The President of PASAN, Mr. Mohammed Usman assured that the required would be put in place to ensure quick resumption of workers in the state legislature.

Speaking, the Deputy President of JUSUN, Mr. Emmanuel Abisoye also expressed his expectations for all the parties involved to work on their part of the agreement. He therefore praised the efforts of the minister in resolving the dispute.

“It is necessary to ensure that industrial harmony strives in these sectors of our economy. It is important that this issue is put behind us,” the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Ayuba Wanna also commented.

TVR recalls that the President, Muhammadu Buhari, on May 22, 2020, signed an order that permits the legislature and judiciary to have financial autonomy. The order also allows the inclusion of the aforementioned’s allocation in the state’s budget.