N125bn budget not enough for NASS – Commission Chairman
By Tunde Opalana
The Federal Government has been called upon to increase budgetary allocation to the National Assembly as the current appropriation of N125bn is grossly inadequate, Daily Times gathered.
The Executive Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while playing host to the Chairman of the Benue State House of Assembly Commission (BSHAC), Dr. Sylvester Atachin, who led other commissioners to NASC leadership on a working visit.
“Budgetary allocations to the National Assembly Service Commission is not enough and we seek an increase to enable us to achieve more and ensure stability in the legislative arm of government,” Amshi stated.
Earlier, Atachin had told the Chairman that the visit was to rub minds on a number of issues which, he said, can benefit the state Assembly commission.
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He said the visit is essential as the Benue State House of Assembly embarks on seeking critical administrative support from relevant bodies such as the National Assembly Service Commission.
He said: “our journey commenced with the passage of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission law 2018 which was given assent by the Governor on 11th Day of April 2018. Consequently, this five-member Commission was inaugurated on 6th June 2020. As a relatively new institution in Nigeria’s democratic history, we intend to share in your wealth of experience.”
Amshi consequently said that state Houses of Assembly Commissions should as a matter of necessity, separate themselves from the control of the executive in the states.
He further insisted that a situation where the executive takes charge to hire and fire aides to legislators is not acceptable as it erodes the principle of separation of powers.
Speaking further, Amshi noted that Parliament everywhere in the world is independent, not under any control of the executive, even in recruitment and management of its staff and that same should apply in the states’ assemblies too.
