THE National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) has begun a process of cleansing the Augean stable as part of a last-ditch effort to save the management arm of the National Assembly from total collapse.
Credible feelers from the NASC, under the chair of Alhaji Ahmed Kadi Amshi, pointed in the direction of likely change in the leadership guard of the National Assembly (NASS) management under the headship of the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Architect Ojo Amos Olatunde.
Sundry sources close to the development told our correspondent that the NASC has, in recent times, been scandalized about the sheer ineptitude and brazen impunity demonstrated by the Architect Olatunde-led management, which it ratified to replace the former CNA, Alhaji Sani Mohammaed Ataba Omolori in July 2020.
The NASC, which allegedly lent itself as a tool in the hands of some strong forces within and outside the National Assembly to sack Omolori before the expiration of his term, has decided, according to a source, to move to redeem its image by doing the needful to ensure that the NASS management is saved and repositioned in the interest of the Legislative arm of government.
As part of the process the NASC has begun a review of the service records of the incumbent CNA, the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly (DCNA), Clerk of the Senate, Clerk of the House of Representatives and other top management staff members who are in close succession lines in the leadership structure of the NASS management.
This, as learnt, stemmed from allegations that some of the officers had doctored their service records to qualify for appointment into their current positions.
The NASC was said to have hurriedly ratified the incumbent leadership of the NASS management, without taking time to verify the correctness of their records, just because it wanted to push out Omolori at all cost.
There were claims doing the round in the National Assembly that a sizable number of the top management staff members parade forged and/or falsified records.
It was learnt that in order to quickly address the ugly and embarrassing situation, the NASC is poised to weed off erring and culpable officers involved in the alleged forgery and falsification of records.
According to a source: “This move is a quick one to save the commission’s image from allegations of inexperience, connivance and serving as a stooge to the presiding officers of both chambers who are believed to have recommended the CNA, DCNA and Clerks of both chambers to the NASC for ratification of their appointments.”
However, there seems to be a division among the commissioners in the NASC as those from the southern part of the country, according to inside sources, were of the opinion that the officers involved in forgery and/or falsification of service records should be dismissed as a punitive measure while those from the Northern part of the country were supportive of a soft landing: asking those involved to be allowed to retire quickly and voluntarily.
Another source said that the presiding officers in both chambers should also be blamed for the mess in the management arm of the National Assembly.
According to the source: “Unfortunately, the National Assembly under the watch of the two presiding officers of the legislative branch have allowed the image and integrity of this esteemed institution to suffer because of selfishness and greed.”
The source hinted that it was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who nominated through the commission, the current Clerk to the National Assembly, Architect Ojo Amos Olatunde for the position only on the basis of seniority without considering the critical administrative/legislative knowledge and experience.
It was alleged that ever since Ojo Amos Olatunde became the CNA, the National Assembly management has continuously and consistently demonstrated incompetence.
According to a source: “Even when it’s obvious that some of his actions are a clear violation and infraction against public service rules and regulations, neither the presiding officers nor the commission has intervened or called him to order.”
For instance, a senior management staff member queried: “why should the CNA be driving a bullet proof vehicle- Toyota land cruiser. V.X.R. TWIN Turbo…2020/1 model- worth 98million while staff members’ entitlements are still hanging in the name of a Memorandum of Understanding?”
He claimed that not even the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary to the Government of the Federation or Head of Service of the Federation drives such a car particularly under the current economic situation.
Another insider disclosed how one of the CNA’s closest cronies on level 8 got a Personal Assistant (PA) appointment in the CNA’s office and was placed on a consolidated salary of level 16 officer.
He claimed that the said Personal Assistant recently embarked upon a trip in which he had no clearly defined official roles to play, getting paid for not offering any reasonable service to the National Assembly. The PA allegedly snapped pictures and posted the same on social media to justify the trip and got paid as his benefits for the travel a whopping seven million naira.
The CNA, it was further learnt, has most of his Senior Advisers who are of low ranks elevated to consolidated salary levels.
Besides, another management staff member frowned at the decision by the CNA to bring on board a former Attorney General from Osun State as his Special Adviser on Legal Matters when the National Assembly as a legislative branch of the government, has Legal Department that is endowed with excellent legal officers and whose responsibility it is to defend the management.
This and other antics by the CNA are said to have dampened the morale of the staff members. A staff member lamented: “nothing really excites staff members anymore because of his style as it concerns release of funds for everyday engagements. Directors are only bearing the title with little or nothing to show in terms of portfolio or responsibility. In fact, there’s general apathy towards work and service to their fatherland.”
The staff member spoke about the recent Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, which held its annual meeting in Abuja.
He said there were so many hiccups and flops, claiming four over fifth part of 500 million naira provided for the event was allegedly squandered. The CPA meeting was recorded to be the poorest ever in terms of organization and participation in the annals of the event.
Perhaps, what is more nauseating, according to another staff member, “is the constant boast by the CNA, that as long as the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila remains, he is untouchable.”
This angered another management staff member to recall the CNA’s involvement in a criminal conspiracy to remove some chillers from the premises of the National Assembly when he was a Director.
Wondering what had happened to the case, he alleged that the current CNA was deeply involved in that theft case, but was surprised how he got an exoneration letter which has not been found anywhere.
He tasked the commission to unravel this monumental criminality and conspiracy.
Another staff member said his only concern why the CNA, an Architect, would prefer to award contract for a standard library to operating from under a leaking roof.
The workers’ union in the National Assembly which has been having a running battle with the management under the CNA over unpaid welfare package expect the presiding officers and the NASC to work in synergy to clear the mess in the NASS management and bring on board a knowledgeable management team that can quickly refocus the management and bring back the glory days.
As a staff member put it: “It is time the presiding officers stopped watching the incumbent CNA as he adopts a style of management that is leading to the disintegration of the institution that brought them to limelight. And the commission should ensure that the right things are done without prejudice or bias. they should be fair to all and decisively punish anyone who violates the rules and regulations of their engagement, for a stitch in time, saves nine.”