National Assembly Approves Retirement of Clerk, Others
By Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu
The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) has approved the retirement of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, and other senior management staff of the federal parliament.
The announcement was made via a press release issued on Wednesday by the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Ahmed Amshi.
Sani-Omolori had been due for retirement since February, but for a controversial amendment to the Conditions of Service of the National Assembly by the Eightth Assembly, which extended their services by five years.
The statement read in part, ”Pursuant to its mandate as provided in the National Assembly Service Act 2014 (as amended), the National Assembly Service Commission at its 497th meeting held on Wednesday 15th July 2020 has approved the retirement age of the staff of the National Assembly Service as 35 years of service or 60 years of age whichever comes first.”
”To this effect the Commission has approved the immediate retirement of staff of the National Assembly Service who have already attained the retirement age of 35 years of service or 60 years of age. Retirement letters would be issued to the affected staff accordingly.”
The Head of Service of the federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, had last week described as illegal the enhanced salary structure of the workers of the National Assembly.
She therefore, implored the leadership of the Assembly to reverse the Consolidated Salary Structure (CONLESS) being enjoyed by the legislative workers.
Speaking at a meeting with both Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the Head of Service said the processes that resulted in the current salary structure of Civil servants in the National Assembly were faulty and therefore illegal.
She faulted the amendment made by the Eighth National Assembly to effect a consolidated salary structure for civil servants in the National Assembly.
In her view, the National Assembly ought to reverse the salary structure currently being operated by the National Assembly.
Mrs Esan argued that the National Assembly was not different from the core civil service to warrant a consolidated salary structure.
She, therefore, advised that the salary structure like the condition of service be discontinued and reversed for due process to be followed.
The National Assembly had in 2010 effected some changes in line with the condition of service currently being operated hence the salary structure of legislative workers as it stands today.
