Speaker Advocates Merit Based Appointments To Key Positions

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Abbas Tajudeen has called for merit-based and transparent appointments to key positions in the National Assembly particularly the Clerk to the National Assembly.

He made the call when the 5th Commission of the National Assembly Service Commission, NASC, led by the outgoing Chairman, Ahmed Kadi Amshi presented his exit report to the speaker in Abuja.

Dr Abbas, in a statement by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi, disclosed that himself and the, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, had sponsored bills to amend the National Assembly Service Commission Act to streamline qualifications and appointment processes, ensuring merit-based succession.

The Speaker emphasized the need for a well-defined succession plan, citing recurring crises surrounding key appointments, while proposing that workers who have built their careers in the legislative line should head the bureaucracy of the federal parliament.

He commended the National Assembly Service Commission’s progress in enhancing institutional capacity despite significant challenges.

Tajudeen reaffirmed the House’s commitment to a strong partnership with the Commission, ensuring an efficient and professional National Assembly Service.

He congratulated the ,
the outgoing Chairman
Ahmed Kadi Amshi
and his team for their service and stewardship.

The Speaker noted that the National Assembly has achieved significant milestones in the last 25 years, by transforming into a formidable institution contributing to national development.

However, he emphasized the need for continuous improvement, innovation, and excellence to establish a strong, independent, and productive legislature.

Earlier while presenting his report to the Speaker, Amshi highlighted the challenges and successes of the NASC in the last five years.

He also noted that the outgoing Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Tambuwal would retire in five days time, while the outgoing NASC Board will work with the incoming Clerk to the National Assembly Kamoru Ogunlana for only 5days before the end of its tenure.

PR Oduyemi Odumade