Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Barrister Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori is on a collision course with the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) over the retirement age of staff of the National Assembly.
While the NASC put the approved age for retirement at 35 years of service or 60 years of age, Sani-Omolori insisted that it is 40 years in Service or 65 years of age whichever comes first.
Sani-Omolori, in a statement today, July 15, titled: “Retirement age for staff of the National Assembly is 40 years of Service or 65 years of age whichever comes first” said the NASC does not have the powers to set aside the Revised Conditions of Service as passed by the 8th National Assembly.
Sani-Omolori said: “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“The Resolution of the 8th National Assembly on the Conditions of Service of Staff has not been rescinded nor abdicated by the National Assembly, who under the authentic National Assembly Service Act 2014 as passed is empowered to review any proposed amendment to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’’.
“Management urges all staff to disregard the press release by the Commission and go about their lawful duties.”
However, the Chairmen of the NASC, Ahmed Kadi-Amshi had in a statement titled: “The National Assembly Service Commission approves the retirement age for the staff of the National Assembly Service as 35 years of Service or 60 years of age which ever comes first” said that the commission has approved the retirement of all staff that have attainted the age.
Kadi-Amshi said: “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.
“Retirement letters would be issued to the affected staff accordingly.”
The Revised Conditions of Service for Staff of the National Assembly approved by the 8th National Assembly has been a subject of controversy.
About 150 directors, including the CNA, Sani-Omolori were said to have benefited from the additional years afforded by the Revised Conditions of Service.
The House of Representatives had in a statement recently said it stands by the resolutions of the 8th National Assembly on Revised Conditions of Service.
However, the Commission insisted that the amendment of the Conditions of Service by the 8th National Assembly, did not follow due process and therefore, they are null and void.
