Management of the National Assembly in conjunction with the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) recently organised a one week retreat for its management staff in Kogi and Kaduna States respectively, ADEBIYI ADEDAPO who covered the opening and closing ceremonies reports.The first batch of the management staff converged in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital between March 20 and 24 March, while the second batch converged in Kaduna between April 2 and 7, to brainstorm on the theme Repositioning National Assembly for Effective Service Delivery.Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Ataba Sanni Omolori, in his welcome address stated that the retreat was designed to bring management personnel of the National Assembly together in a relaxed atmosphere in other to brainstorm on the direction of the nations legislature.According to Omolori, the importance of capacity building for the management staff cannot be over emphasized given the dynamics of changing times, which has to be adequately prepared for.This retreat has become more imperative in order to revitalise and re-engineer the management staff in the performance of their respective duties. The retreat is part of the strategic plans, informed by thorough capacity needs accesses of management staff which was conducted on my assumption of duty, as Clerk of the National Assembly, in order to bring our collective approach management abreast with international best standard. Omolori stated.The Clerk further stated that the principal objectives of the retreat was to create an atmosphere of participatoryexclusiveness in service delivery to legislators and the general public, as well as to improve competencies for enhanced performance to achieve institutional goals in the short, medium and long term.In order to begin the process of achieving these objectives, we have invited capable consultants, experts and erudite facilitators, while at the same time drawing on our institutional memories by inviting past leadership of the National Assembly Service, in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative Studies ( NILS) to guide is in this conversation,he said.Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr. Bukola Saraki who declared the retreat open, noted that the over 5000 management Staff are fully responsible for ensuring full realisation of legislative agenda.It is you, this 5000 or there about management staff of National Assembly that are responsible for ensuring that our legislative agenda is fully realised, he added.The Senate President who underscored the need for periodic retreat said it was imperative that management is fit for the task ahead and lives up to its responsibilities to deliver coherent, effective, and efficient support as we pursue our vision for the development of the country of the Nigerian economy into one of the most diversified and very inclusive economies in Africa.According to him, the over arching goal is to place the Nigerian economy on the path to sustainable growth, poverty elimination, economic opportunities, deal squarely with corruption and tackle injustices around us.He added The 8th National Assembly places premium on the efficacy of the National Assembly staff productivity as they remain its best hope of achieving this agenda. But you, the management must also ensure staff commitment and dedication to the task.This you do by helping to turn the legislative decisions we make on the floor into actionable legislative instruments, with tangible impact on our people. As we all know, this is a critical time for us as a nation. We are going through difficult times, recession, security issues, widespread hunger, unemployment, incessant rises in inflation, dwindling opportunities. The nation looks up to National Assembly for direction and to provide opportunities for our people. It has become quite apparent to us that it is no longer business as usual, he stated.But the closing ceremony introduced a fresh narrative to discourse as the Chief Host, and Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai tasked the National Assemblys leadership to improve image of the legislature.He observed that the 8th Assembly, particularly the Senate is perceived by the public as an opposition to the anti-corruption war.The National Assembly is seen as as opposing the fight against corruption, particularly the Senate. I do not believe it is entirely true, I dont believe it is totally false either. Nobody know your budget. I have seen publications on your emoluments, which I do not believe is true, he said while urging the federal parliament to open up its budget.El-Rufai who commended the bureaucracy, whsaid he had in the past erroneously thought was the problem in governance' Over the years, there was a time I considered the bureaucracy as the problem, but as I grow up, I understand as a politician, to succeed, is to have an independent bureaucracy that can tell you the truth. Nothing can be sustained as a legacy, without the bureaucracy, he said.In a swift reaction however, Speaker Yakubu Dogara who the retreat adjourned, challenged Governor Nasir el-rufai of Kaduna State, to extend his campaign for transparency in the budget of the National Assembly to other arms of government including how governors spend their security votes, and what usually happen to local government funds, after announcing that the National Assemblys management had already been directed to publish details of its budget.I will like to challenge my senior brother (El-Rufai) to champion this cause for transparency in the budgetary process from the National Assembly to other arms of government. The Judiciary first. We want to see clearly how Chief Executives of States, how they are paid. What do they spend monthly as security votes', and if they can publish what happens to local government funds under their jurisdictions. That will help our discussion going forward, Dogara said.Dogara also corroborated Sarakis position As he said the parliament is the most misunderstood institution as he said no parliament in the world can win popularity contest and Nigerias National Assembly is not an exception.When, for instance, public discussions on funding of the legislature are being made, the entire bureaucracy is often completely discountenanced, neither is any consideration given to the fact that this is a special bureaucracy saddled with a multitude of masters who must be equally served in addition to service to the nation, he explained.Dogara however commended the leadership approach of the Clerk for the swift manner in which he responded to theneeds assessment of the institution, said the Nigeria Civil Service will begin to record progress when it breaks away from its usual tradition to new ways of carrying out its functions and administration.According to him, only innovation borne out of motivation of staff through rewards such as promotions based on meritcan ensure productivity in the workforce.
Click here to read full news..
