The Nigeria Good Governance Research Centre has said that the passage of the service extension bill by the senate will strengthen legislative activities, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give his assent.
The Senate towed the line of the House of Representatives and passed the much talked about service extension bill which is seeking a five year extension for staff of the nation’s highest parliamentary body, the National Assembly.
A statement issued by the Executive Director, Comrade Igbotako Nowinta, the CSO said the passing of the bill by the Senate is a major victory and a good omen for safeguarding parliamentary democracy in Nigeria.
“This is commending the 10th Senate under the able leadership of Senator Godswil Akpabio, for using superior wisdom.
“It is our urgent prayers that the Executive Arm of Government under President Bola Tinubu, will speedily grant the much needed assent to this very important bill, knowing fully well that the current Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajamiabila is well acquainted with the Bill; he knows the enormous benefits, because he was the leader of the House during the 8th National Assembly who lead the debate, and Speaker, in the 9th National Assembly who passed the Bill but unfortunately did not get concurence with the Senate not until now.
“The benefits of this Bill cannot be overemphasized, as legislative assignments are best mastered with reasonable length of years on it; unlike those who appear and disappear with successive elections. The National Assembly needs wholeheartedly experienced hands with abundant capacity built over the years on the job,” the CSO said.
According to the CSOs, the five year extension of service bill is a welcome development in the name of transfer of knowledge and expertise by the top brass of the National Assembly bureaucracy, who are on their way out of the system; just as those top level management staff who were brought in via the Federal Civil Service will be having a super advantage in passing further capacity to the lower cadres with the additional five years extension of service.
“This is a pragmatic opportunity which the current Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Magaji Tambawal is harnessing to the fullest.
“Indeed, the Five Year Extension of service is a fantastic idea, unlike the practice of engaging ex-staff as consultants who carry out the same work they can perform with just five years without additional cost or burden to the purse and health of the National Assembly.
