There was palpable tension on Wednesday at the Edo State House of Assembly as members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Edo State Chapter, alongside executives of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, protested an alleged move by lawmakers to repeal the law granting financial autonomy to Local Governments in the State.
The PASAN members occupied the Assembly Chamber for several hours, preventing lawmakers from commencing plenary.
Workers said they mobilised after the House Order Paper circulated, containing proposals to amend laws relating to financial autonomy.
They expressed concern that any attempt to reverse the autonomy could undermine the effective functioning of government institutions and negatively affect workers’ welfare.
Speaking during the protest, Idemudia Osifo, NBA Benin Branch Chairman, described the alleged move as embarrassing, saying the association would oppose any attempt to undermine financial autonomy.
‘There is panic in the public. The NBA is interested in the outcome of this process that is about to be initiated by the House of Assembly, and we do not support the withdrawal of the autonomy enjoyed by these institutions,’ Osifo said.