National Assembly Commission Reshuffles Standing Committees

The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) has reconstituted the membership of its Standing Committees, with the new assignments taking immediate effect.

The Executive Chairman of the Commission, Chief Saviour Enyiekere, announced the changes at the 32nd meeting of the Commission held on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to a statement issued to journalists on Friday in Abuja, by the Director of Public Affairs, Emmanuel Anyigor, Enyiekere said the previous committees were allowed to remain in place until the meeting to enable them to conclude pending assignments.

He said the reconstitution was carried out in accordance with Section 7 of the Standing Orders of the Commission.

Enyiekere also called for unity and cooperation among committee members and the management of the Commission, stressing that such collaboration was necessary for the NASC to effectively fulfil its mandate.

Under the new arrangement, the Finance and General Purpose Committee will be headed by the Executive Chairman, with all commissioners as members, while the Secretary to the Commission, Lucky U. Ikharo, will serve as Secretary.

The Administration and Employee Relations Committee will be chaired by the Commissioner representing the North-East, Hon. Lawan Maina Mahmud, with former Clerk of the House of Representatives, Mr Patrick A. Giwa, as Deputy Chairman.

Hon. Aminu Ibrahim Malle, Commissioner representing the North-East, will chair the Procurement and General Services Committee, with Chief Festus I. Odii, Commissioner representing the South-East, as Deputy Chairman.

Mr Patrick A. Giwa, Commissioner representing the South-South, will chair the Establishment, Records and Training Committee, while Hon. Nnanna Uzor Kalu, Commissioner representing the South-East, will serve as Deputy Chairman.

Kalu will also chair the Committee on Zonal Offices and Legislative Aides, with Hon. Hanmation Mark Tersoo, Commissioner representing the North-Central, as Deputy Chairman.

The Planning, Research and Library Services Committee will be chaired by Chief Festus I. Odii, while Hon. Afeez Ipesa-Balogun, Commissioner representing the South-West, will serve as Deputy Chairman.

Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, Commissioner representing the North-West, will head the Committee on Promotion and Discipline, with Mrs Mary Ekpenyong, Commissioner representing the South-South, as Deputy Chairman.

Hon. Afeez Ipesa-Balogun retains his position as Chairman of the Committee on Public Affairs, while Senator Hunkuyi will serve as Vice Chairman.

The Appeals and Legal Services Committee will be chaired by Hon. Hanmation Mark Tersoo, with Hon. Lawan Maina Mahmud as Deputy Chairman.

Meanwhile, Hon. Salihu Umar Agboola Balogun, Commissioner representing the North-Central, will chair the Committee on Information and Communication Technology, with Alhaji Yusuf A. Yusuf, Commissioner representing the North-West, as Vice Chairman.

Yusuf will also head the Internal Audit Committee, while Mallam Salihu Balogun will serve as Vice Chairman.

Mrs Mary Ekpenyong will chair the Tenders Board, with Hon. Aminu Ibrahim Malle as Deputy Chairman.

The Commission said the membership of the committees cuts across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

Enyiekere said the redeployments took effect immediately.