The Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Engineer Ahmed Khadi Amshi, has pledged the Commission’s support to the Bauchi State House of Assembly in adopting procedures that align with those of the National Assembly Service Commission. This move is intended to enhance parliamentary service delivery in the state. Engineer Amshi made this statement during a three-day working visit to Bauchi State, where he led a delegation to interact with staff of the Bauchi State House of Assembly and the State Assembly Service Commission. The purpose of the visit was to explore ways of improving the efficiency of the state’s Assembly services by implementing procedural frameworks similar to those used at the national level.
During the interaction, Engineer Amshi highlighted the various challenges confronting state assemblies’ service commissions, including inadequate budgeting, lack of mobility, and insufficient welfare provisions for staff. He urged the executive arm of government to provide the necessary support to the commissions, emphasizing their importance in effectively coordinating parliamentary services. He noted that if these challenges are not addressed, they could hinder the efficient functioning of state assemblies. He also expressed optimism that adopting the National Assembly’s procedural standards would significantly boost operational efficiency and service delivery.
Engineer Amshi further called on the executive arm to recognize the strategic role played by the state assembly service commissions in the legislative process and to extend the required resources and support. He stressed that the welfare and operational needs of the commission are critical for the smooth functioning of the parliamentary system. In response, the Chairman of the Bauchi State Assembly Service Commission, Alhaji Bappah Haruna Disina, assured the delegation of the state’s commitment to working in synergy with the National Assembly Service Commission. He expressed confidence that adopting these procedural frameworks would significantly enhance the operations of the Bauchi State Assembly Service Commission.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Sulaiman, reiterated the Assembly’s advocacy for the full implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures. Speaking during the meeting with the delegation, he expressed his gratitude for the visit and underscored the importance of the interaction in addressing the challenges faced by the Assembly. He emphasized that this engagement is essential for bridging existing gaps and resolving issues that have hampered the delivery of effective parliamentary services.
The Speaker disclosed that the Bauchi Assembly is currently reviewing a report submitted by the State’s Financial Autonomy Committee and assured the delegation that all concerns raised would be addressed. He also revealed ongoing efforts to strengthen the Assembly’s workforce through recruitment and the formalization of appointments. He noted that the Assembly is in the process of formalizing the movement of staff and that new personnel are being recruited to fill existing gaps in the workforce.
In addressing the harmonization of services between the National and State Assemblies, Speaker Sulaiman confirmed Bauchi’s readiness to domesticate the harmonized scheme of services as outlined by the National Assembly Service Commission. He affirmed the state’s commitment to adopting all necessary documents and procedures to ensure smooth and effective service delivery.
During their visit, the delegation inspected several key project sites in Bauchi metropolis, including the ongoing flyover construction and the International Conference Centre. The team commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his “giant strides” in executing these developmental projects, which they described as critical to the growth and transformation of the state.
The visit underscored the importance of collaboration between the National Assembly Service Commission and state assemblies in tackling shared challenges and improving the overall efficiency of legislative processes across the country. Both parties expressed their commitment to continuing dialogue and implementing strategies to enhance the legislative system. The working visit was hailed as a significant step forward in strengthening the capacity of state assemblies and ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the growing demands of legislative governance in Nigeria.