The five eventful days conference organised by the National Assembly Service Commission NASC, under the leadership of Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE inconjunction with 31 States House of Assemblies Service Commission SASC’s,the 8th in it’s series was an eye opener to ensure the total autonomy of the State Assembly Service Commission’s SASC’s in the current political dispensation.
The event with it’s theme “Repositioning Assembly Service Commission for Optimum Service Delivery” was held at Shehu Musa Yar’adua conference center,Kaduna between the 13th -17th September 2021,with the delegates arrival a day earlier for the all important program of events.
The conference was declared open by the host Governor,Malam Nasiru El-Rufai with the leadership of the National Assembly ably represented by His Excellency, Distinguish Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, representing Kano Central and Chairman Senate committee on Establishment and Public Service.
In his opening remarks,Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai promised to ensure the independent of not only the Kaduna State Assembly Service Commission,but the local government as well as the Judicial Service Commission.
He said these Commission’s played a leading role that stabilised the current democratic dispensation as an arm of government, both now and in the nearest future.
The chairman, National Assembly Service Commission, NASC, Engineer Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE expressed the readiness of the current commision to do anything humanly possible that will ensured total independent of the State Assembly Service Commissions SASC’s, not only administratively but also financial independent/autonomy.
Kadi who led the 5th National Assembly Service Commission to the event stressed the need for state governor’s not to only create the enabling environment, but develop the political will to ensure the realisation of the creation by other states, and autonomy for a virile democracy as obtainable at the National level.
The Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission said the main objectives of the conference is to provide a platform to streamline the operational procedures,as well as adopt common conditions and scheme of service for staff of the State Assembly Services.
“With a vision to build an excellent workforce geared towards providing support and expertise to legislators, with a view to meeting the challenges of good legislation for democratic governance and sustainable development,also a mission “to ensure it developed a crop of excellent manpower resource that is competent and knowledgeable for the National Assembly Service.”
Engineer Kadi also maintained the determination of the NASC through the capacity building evolved modalities for human resource developement, appointment of legislative aides,to members of the State Assemblies,as well as harmonisation of issues relating to the enabling laws of States Assembly Service Commissions.
He commmeded the cordial relationship with the state Assembly Services Commissions through frequent visits to the National Assembly Service Commission on fact finding/working and courtesy visits, as well as Zonal tours by NASC to States Assemblies.
The commision stated that the interactive visits had paid off with 11 states, first set to inaugurate states Assembly commision to an encouraging figure of 31 states, currently with a full fledged commision,while Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje will make it 32 States, when signed into law.
NASC reassured that Kano and the remaining four other states of Nigeria, will no doubt be the guest in the next conference in 2022, when a full fledged commision is put in place.
This year’s conference,8th in it’s series started in November,2005 in Abuja the nation’s capital,Uyo ,Akwa Ibom state on February,2007,Gombe in December,2007,Bayelsa State in November,2008,Jos, Plateau state in November,2009,0werri in November,2010, Portharcout in April ,2018 and now Kaduna in September,2021.
Members in attendance from States Assemblies Service Commission are 11.in 2005,12 in 2007,21 in 2007,19 in 2008,16 in 2009,21 in 2010,18 in 2018 and 31 in 2021.
The conference witnessed paper presentation from various facilitators and experts that included Technical Paper 1 ;Towards Achieving a Model Assembly Service Commission by Chief G.A.Ominiyi, Technical Paper 11: The Role of ICT in the Developement of a Model Legislative Bureacracy, Mr Donald Akpanam, Technical Paper 111- Panacea To Challenges Confronting Optimal Service Delivery by Public Service Commissions in Nigeria,Alhaji Mohammed Murtala Dabo, Technical Paper 1V; Emotional Intelligence and Leadership In Greater Legislative Service,By Mr Chile Onyia that acquainted particpants on various areas.
The subsequent days also witnessed deliberations from 31 states Assembly commisions, through memoranda and ressolutions passed with Communique issued at the end of the five days conference.
The conference was declared closed after the adoption of the Communique,followed by presentation of plaque to the host state, and a gala night organised to mark the closing ceremony of the five days event.
