Chairman House of Representatives committee on Establishment and Public service,Engr. Sani Umar Bala Kunchi has reassured that more funds will be allocated in the subsequent years to ensure early completion and the problems of accomodation bedevilling the commission becomes a thing of the past. The Committee Chairman made the observation when he led the members the committee on oversight function and inspection of the location of it’s proposed office after meeting with the management of the commission.
Chairman NASC Engineer Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE presenting a gift to the Chairman House of Representatives committee on Establishment and Public service,Engr.Sani Umar Bala Kunchi during the committee visit today
He praised the Executive Chairman of the Commission for breaking the jinx of over 22 years, that led to the allocation of 3 Billion in this year’s budget. ‘We made efforts with the determination of the Chairman and appropriated initial 3 Billion for the commission’s headquarters, in the 2021 fiscal year.’ ‘We are part of arrangements by the commission to come up with a ground breaking ceremony arrangement due for June 11, inview of preparations and processes of commencement of the project being put in place.’
NASC chairman, NASC Secretary, and other principal officers in a group photograph with Members, House committee on Establishment and Public Service
‘We are assuring Nigerians that yearly appropriation of budget will be a recurring decimal,untill the proposed commission edifice is put in place.’ ‘It is not our intention to concede abandoned projects, as the new commision’s headquarters will not be among such projects.’ ‘We need to imbibe prudence, accountability and dilligence in the public service, just like the commission is dispensing in the last one year.’
NASC Chairman, Engineer Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE addressing the House of Representatives Committee members today at the commission office, Abuja
‘We delibeated that payment of such a huge amount yearly as rent for the current office is no longer feasible,and uneconomical,hence the huge allocation in this year’s budget for the new building.’ Engineer kunchi also commended the choice and site of the proposed edifice,saying proximity to the National Assembly will enhance productivity on the commision’s staffers. Earlier in her remarks,a member of the Committee, Mrs Taiwo Iluga asked the commission to hasten the process of reviewing the engagement of more legislative aides from 5 to 10,saying it is telling on the lawmakers the few allocated to each member. She said funds meant for salaries and allowances of the five aides attached to each lawmakers is used for payment of many constituents.
NASC officials and House Committee during a round table discussion today
‘We are constrained to share among our retinue of aides salaries meant for five statutorily legislative aides alloted to lawmakers.’ ‘The review upward from 5 to 10 as proposed by the commission will be the best thing that will happen to the current lawmakers,’ Mrs Taiwo exclaimed. The commission’s Chairman, Engineer Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE says the commission has approached the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation’s and Fiscal Commission RMAFC with an assuramce of a review upward of legislative aides to each Lawmaker to at least 8 if not 10. ‘We are not only proposing the increase in the numbers of legislative aides,but to enhance both their remunerations, conditions of service,grade levels to attract more quality service to their paymasters.’