By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi, Abuja
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken a strong stance against the practice of top bureaucrats in the National Assembly (NASS) extending their service beyond the mandatory retirement age.
Akpabio called on the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) to wield its powers and put an end to this practice without delay. He made this directive on Monday while receiving the outgoing Chairman and members of the NASC in his office.
While commending the outgoing Chairman for his effective performance, Akpabio highlighted some lapses that need to be addressed. One of the major concerns he raised was the reluctance of some Clerks to the National Assembly, Senate, or House of Representatives to exit office after completing their years of service.
Akpabio also expressed dissatisfaction with the lethargy displayed by the NASC in ensuring the enforcement of the mandatory retirement age. He urged the commission to take immediate action to rectify this situation and prevent further service elongation by bureaucrats.
This move by Akpabio is seen as a significant step towards promoting accountability and transparency within the National Assembly. The NASC is expected to take swift action to enforce the mandatory retirement age and prevent further abuse of power by bureaucrats.
Earlier, the outgoing Chairman of the NASC, Engineer Ahmed Kadi Amshi, informed the Senate President that he and five other National Commissioners would be concluding their five-year tenure on February 7, 2025, having assumed office on the same date in 2020. However, the Commissioner representing the South East region will continue to serve until October 14, 2026, following his appointment on October 15, 2021. With his tenure coming to an end, Amshi reflected on his accomplishments as NASC Chairman, a position he held since his inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari on February 26, 2020.
