Akpabio warns against service elongation by N’Assembly officials

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has warned against the practice of top bureaucrats in the National Assembly Service Commission to remain in office even after the expiration of their years of service.

Akpabio also tasked NASC to do everything possible to use the powers conferred on it by the extant Act, to prevent such practices from happening again.

He stated these on Monday while playing host to the outgoing Chairman, Ahmed Amshi and members of the National Assembly Service Commission who were in his office on a courtesy visit.

Addressing Amshi and his team, Akpabio said, “Since you are handing over to the Secretary of the Commission, pending the time myself and the Hon Speaker of the House of Representatives, will make recommendations for new Chairman and members, lapses observed within the last few years, must be addressed.

“One of such lapses is the reluctance of some Clerks either to the National Assembly, the Senate or House of Representatives, to exit office at the expiration of their years of service and even lethargy on the part of the commission to ensure enforcement at the appropriate time against such elongated service-seeking bureaucrats.

“Toleration of such behaviour or acts from the sit-tight bureaucrats by NASC brought unnecessary politics into the system with attendant factionalisation of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria. There were threats by some people to take the leadership of the National Assembly to ‘ Berekete Radio ‘ otherwise called Human Rights Radio, forgetting that Nigeria has not established Human Rights Radio.

“Politicisation of tenure or years of service of staff of the National Assembly is due to actions and inactions of NASC which must be stopped by sticking to the provisions of letters of appointments issued.”

The Senate President added, “Refusal to proceed on terminal leave by some clerks, secretaries or directors, are clear cases of years of service elongation, which must be enforced by NASC.”

He promised legislative action on the extant law to address the gap, saying, “Amendment will be made to the Establishment Act of NASC so that its Secretary will work hand in hand with the leadership of the National Assembly for more disciplined and service delivery system.”

The outgoing Chairman in his earlier remarks told Akpabio that he and five out of the six National Commissioners of the commission, will be ending their service on February 7, 2025, having assumed office on February 7, 2020.