Abbas the proposed directorate will enable legislators to recruit professional and skilled aides that would assist them in succeeding in their legislative duties.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has called for the creation of a Directorate for Legislative Aides in the National Assembly to serve as a pool for the recruitment of Legislative Aides by Lawmakers.
The Speaker made the call on Wednesday, when the Executive Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi, led a delegation to his office.
Abbas, who expressed his desire to help engender excellence and professionalism in the National Assembly for optimum productivity, said the proposed directorate will enable legislators to recruit professional and skilled aides that would assist them in succeeding in their legislative work.
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“In this regard, the Commission is expected to create a dedicated Directorate with qualified and competent personnel to drive this vision for the interest of the Legislature and consolidation of our legislative practice.
“The 10th House of Representatives and indeed, the National Assembly, is faced with the challenge of capacity development with the high turnover of the last election. This demands a bureaucracy that is well-equipped to demonstrate competence and reliability by providing guidance to the new Members.
“You must, as a Commission, show more diligence in your appointment of staff, including legislative aides to members to ensure that those you engage following the recommendations of Members are people with the requisite capacity to support their principals to succeed. There is no better way to build a legislative institution to meet the yearnings of the people.”
Abbas also commended the leadership of NASC for their excellent performance and cordial relationship with the principal officers of the National Assembly.
“It must be stated that the Commission, under your chairmanship has done well in encouraging the existing cordial relationship between the Commission and the National Assembly leadership. Let me use this opportunity to call for further strengthening of this existing relationship to enable us to collectively work together to achieve positive results.”
He enjoined the Commission to come up with well-defined succession plans that would enhance smooth succession after the retirement of officers.
Earlier, NASC chairman told the Speaker that since its inauguration in February 2020, the 5th NASC has promoted over 3000 officers to different positions, converted over 500 others to different cadres, and handled five disciplinary cases.
Engr. Amshi particularly, singled out the building of the NASC Office Complex as the most outstanding achievement of the Commission under his leadership.
He added that the Commission has successfully carried out other routine responsibilities, and called for more budgetary provisions for the National Assembly to help the institution carry out other functions effectively.
