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By Gabriel Okoro, Abuja
Amid uncertainty on whether the 2019 appropriations bill presentation will be laid in the National Assembly on Wednesday by President Muhammadu Buhari following the commencement of the strike action by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, the House of Representatives has adopted the motion to allow the President perform the constitutional duty.
This move was sequel to a motion raised by the House leader Femi Gbajabiamila and adopted by over 16 members on the floor on Tuesday during plenary presided by Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun.
Recall that on Thursday, President Buhari letter of request that he be allowed to make presentation before a joint session of the National Assembly regarding the 2019 budget as read by Speaker Yakubu Dogara had sparked up a heated debate among members following a counter and counter accusation by the minister of budget and national planning, Udoma Udoma that the federal lawmakers are responsible for the delay of the budget presentation.
The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria members were seen locked out of the complex by some unusual number of security men who were present before and after the plenary started behind the usual scheduled time. This is due to the strike action threat the lawmakers felt will distrupts the crucial sitting.
Reacting to the situation, the House leader, Femi Gbajabiamila in a point of order raised during plenary said “while they have the right to strike, it is illegal to stop staff and members of the National Assembly from coming to work.”
Gbajabiamila said while the lawmakers are appealing to the PASAN, it is not right for them to shutdown the National Assembly.
“No matter how good their intention is, it is not proper for them to shutdown the National Assembly”, he said.
Supporting the House leader, Mr. Ossai Ossai (PDP, Delta) noted that the legislative business must continue.
Mr. Ossai however urged the executive to do the needful stressing that appropriations Act can not be breached.
On his part, the Deputy Speaker harped on the need for the striking staff of the National Assembly to understand the important role of the legislature in democracy.
To this end, the green chamber resolved to find the missing link between staff and management of the National Assembly; and proffer a lasting solution to the strike action.