Get Guardian on GoogleThe planned shutdown of the Taraba State House of Assembly and the House of Assembly Service Commission has been averted following an agreement between the Assembly leadership and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Taraba State chapter.
The development, as observed by The Guardian, marks a significant breakthrough in efforts to resolve the growing industrial dispute between parliamentary workers and the Assembly leadership over legislative autonomy, workers’ welfare and the implementation of agreed employment provisions.
PASAN announced the suspension of its planned industrial action after a conciliatory meeting held on Monday, between the two parties.
In Bulletin 2 issued after the meeting, the association disclosed that three major resolutions were reached to address some of the outstanding demands of parliamentary staff.
Central to the agreement is the commitment by the Assembly leadership to ensure the passage of the Judiciary Funds Management Bill into law at the next legislative sitting.
The House leadership also agreed to urgently meet with the Taraba State Governor to discuss the possibility of signing the autonomy bills into law, as well as the immediate implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS).
The resolutions are expected to address key concerns surrounding the financial and administrative independence of the legislature, alongside the welfare and remuneration of parliamentary workers.
As part of the understanding reached, the Assembly leadership is expected to present an update on the implementation of the resolutions to PASAN and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on or before November 19, 2026.
Following the agreement, PASAN’s Executive Council directed its members to suspend the planned shutdown of the State House of Assembly and the House of Assembly Service Commission.
The directive was contained in the association’s Bulletin 2, signed by its Taraba State Chairman, Comrade Hamid Buba, on behalf of the Assistant Secretary, Comrade Uba Jibrin.
The association further appealed to its members to remain calm, maintain order and await further instructions from the leadership.
The suspension came barely hours before the commencement of the strike, which PASAN had earlier scheduled to begin at midnight on Monday, November 9, through its Bulletin 1.
The proposed industrial action would have brought activities at the State Assembly and its service commission to a halt, potentially disrupting legislative and administrative operations.
Although the latest agreement has prevented an immediate shutdown, the commitments made by the Assembly leadership will now be closely watched, particularly the proposed engagement with the governor and the implementation of the workers’ demands.
For PASAN, the November 19 deadline represents an important point for assessing progress on the resolutions reached and determining the next line of action.
While the suspension offers a window for dialogue, the lasting resolution of the dispute will largely depend on the extent to which the promises made translate into concrete action on legislative autonomy, workers’ welfare and the implementation of CONLESS.
