Crisis rocks N’Assembly leadership over retirement age

Fresh crisis has rocked the leadership of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and the management of the National Assembly over retirement age of workers.

In a separate statement issued on Wednesday and made available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja, the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi said the approval has been given by the Commission’s board for staff who are 60 years of age or that have spent 35 years in service to retire.

“Pursuant to its mandate as provided in the National Assembly Service Act 2014 (as amended), the National Assembly Service Commission at its 497th meeting held on Wednesday 15th July 2020 has approved the retirement age of the staff of the National Assembly Service as 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.”

According him, retirement letter would be issued to the affected staff accordingly.

In response to the circular on retirement, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori insisted that the retirement age has been reviewed by the Saraki led 8th National Assembly, urging the public to ignore the circular.

Omolori who’s tenure has been a subject of controversy explained that the reviewed retirement age is 65 years while 40 years service was also approved.

The statement which he personally signed stated: “The attention of the National Assembly Management has been drawn to a press release dated 15th July, 2020 signed by the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, informing the general public that the Commission has approved the retirement age of staff of the National Assembly as 35 years of service or 60 years of age whichever comes first.

“The 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The Resolution of the 8th National Assembly on the Conditions of Service of Staff has not been rescinded nor abdicated by the National Assembly, who under the authentic National Assembly Service Act 2014 as passed is empowered to review any proposed amendment to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.

“The Management had maintained a studied silence in deference to the leadership of the 9th National Assembly who is looking into the position being canvassed by the Commission.

“It is therefore intriguing that the National Assembly Service Commission has unilaterally gone ahead to take a ‘’decision’’, urges all staff to disregard the press release by the Commission and go about their lawful duties”, the statement concluded.