The controversy over the revised condition of service for National Assembly staff was put to rest Wednesday, as the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) declared that staff who had already attained the retirement age of 60 years or spent 35 years in service would receive their retirement letters soon.
Consequently, the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Omolori, Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Olusanya Ajakaiye, and about 150 others have been retired from service.
But Omoloiri, who was forced to retire, dared the leadership of the National Assembly Service Commission, saying those affected by the announcement should continue with their normal duty.
A press statement dated July 15, 2020, issued by the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi, indicated that the commission at its 497th meeting pegged the retirement age for the staff of the National Assembly Service at 35 years of service or 60 years of age, whichever comes first.
The statement reads: “Pursuant to its mandate as provided in the National Assembly Service Commission Act 2014 (as amended), the National Assembly Service Commission at its 497th meeting held on Wednesday 15th July 2020 has approved the retirement age for the staff of the National Assembly Service at 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 revised condition of service became a subject of controversy after the 8th National Assembly had raised the retirement age from 60 to 65 years or 35 to 40 years in service for its staff.
Which is why Omolori and others who ought to have retired, remained in the service.
Omolori, having joined the public service in 1985, was supposed to have retired in February, 2020. The now retired Clerk joined Ajaokuta Steel Company as a legal officer in 1985, but transferred his service to the National Assembly in February 1991 as a Principal Legal Officer on GL 12, from the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).
His tenure was later extended in 2019 following the controversial review by the leadership of the 8th National Assembly.
However, the review was greeted by controversy as the commission described the amendment as unconstitutional on the ground that President Muhammadu Buhari had not assented to the amendment Bill.
However, in a counter statement, the former Clerk office told the affected staff to ignore the directive from the Commission and go on with their normal duties, saying the decision contravenes the extant service regulations as duly passed by the 8th Assembly.
Omolori said the resolution of the 8th Assembly on conditions of service still subsists; hence NASC has no power to set aside the revised conditions of service.
He said: “Management of the National Assembly wishes to inform all staff and the general public that the extant regulation as contained in our Revised Conditions of Service duly passed by both Chambers of the 8th National Assembly puts the retirement age of staff at 40 years of service and 65 years of age whichever comes first.
“The Resolution of the 8th National Assembly on the Conditions of Service of Staff has not been rescinded nor abdicated by the National Assembly, who under the authentic National Assembly Service Act 2014 as passed is empowered to review any proposed amendment to the Conditions of Service by the Commission.
“Therefore, the National Assembly Service Commission does not have the powers to set aside the Revised Conditions of Service as passed by the 8th National Assembly.”