By our Correspondent
The National Assembly Thursday through its Clerk , Kamoru Ogunlana Esq, appealed to the Federal Government to review its monetization policy of non provision of accomodations for civil and public service officers .

The policy according to Ogunlana who made the appeal in Abuja while delivering his closing remarks at the end of one month training programme for Legislative Aides , has thrown legislators and aides , several miles apart in the area of accommodation and invariably , affected their efficiency in terms of service delivery.

“I am mindful of the accommodation difficulties faced by some of you, particularly those who live far from their Principals. Proximity between Members and their Legislative Aides can promote synergy, coordination and efficiency.

“This reminds me of the period when Members were accommodated at the former Apo Quarters in Abuja, where many Legislative Aides also lived close to their Principals.

“That arrangement was affected by the Federal Government’s monetisation policy.
I believe Government may wish to consider reviewing the policy, with a view to providing appropriate official accommodation for Members and personnel of the National Assembly.
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” Such an arrangement could also provide significant relief to Legislative Aides and improve coordination with their Principals”, he said .

The Clerk however assured the Legislative aides and by extension entire staff of the National Assembly and their families that quality medical services shall be provided for them from this time of next year through a world class medical centre being constructed already .

He said : ” I am also mindful of the challenges some of you face in accessing medical services.

“The National Assembly Clinic was designed primarily to cater for lawmakers, career staff and their families, and the additional demands created by Legislative Aides and their families have stretched the existing facilities.

“I am pleased to inform you that the present leadership is already addressing this challenge.

“A new, world-class medical facility is currently being developed and will be equipped with modern medical facilities and supported by experts in various fields of medicine. We expect the facility to become operational by about this time next year”.

He slso admonished them to start updating their records of service now , which would be used for payment of severance packages in view of the terminal date of the 10th National Assembly, drawing closer .

“On Your Records and Severance Benefits
As we approach the terminal date of the 10th Assembly, I enjoin you to ensure that your records of service are properly updated.

“This is necessary to enable Management to process your severance allowances efficiently when due”, he said .8

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Former President, Doctor Goodluck Jonathan, has called for the harmonization of structures and salaries across the Federal and State civil services in the country.

He made the call in Yenagoa during the foundation-laying and fund-raising ceremony for the Bayelsa State Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries’ Secretariat Complex.

The former President commended the retired permanent secretaries for the initiative, noting that the caliber of personnel in the Bayelsa State public service compares favorably to their counterparts at the federal level.

Doctor Goodluck Jonathan recalled how, during his tenure as Governor, he restructured the state civil service to introduce Grade Level 17 for Directors who previously retired on Level 16.

He emphasized that establishing a dedicated secretariat for the retired permanent secretaries would serve both retirees and the public, while making a strong case for uniform civil service structures nationwide.

Also, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State represented by the Head of Service, Doctor Ebiye Sawyer, pledged government support for the project, praising the retired officials for their vision and dedication.

In an address of welcome address, the Chairman of the Association, King Collins Ebi Daniel, described the proposed complex as an institutional edifice designed to embody the legacy of public service.

He explained that the center will house administrative offices, event halls, conference rooms, and recreational facilities.

King Daniel explained that the Bayelsa State Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries’ Secretariat Complex is expected to cost N500m and completed in two years’ time.

Other dignitaries at the event—including the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Imiri, a former Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Yenagoa Campus and the Chief Launcher, Chief Maxwell Oko—pledged their support, urging the association to leverage the facility as a policy institute for state and national development.

Also at the event were a traditional ruler King Amalate Turner and the Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Senator Benson Agadaga.

High points of the ceremony included the formal foundation laying by Doctor Jonathan, a fund-raising session, and a cultural presentation by the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture.

By Our Correspondent

The National Assembly Service Commission has rejigged membership of its Standing Committees.

The Executive Chairman of the Commission, Chief Saviour Enyiekere announced this decision during the 32nd Meeting of the Commission held on Tuesday, 15th September, 2026.

In a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs, Mr E. N. Anyigor, Chief Enyiekere explained that the Committees were intentionally allowed to function till last Tuesday so as to allow them to conclude pending assignments.

Dr. Enyiekere, further explained that the reconstitution of the Committees was in line with Section 7 of the Standing Orders of the Commission and called for unity and co-operation among Committee members and the Management to enable the Commission to achieve it’s mandates.

The new Standing Committees are :
Finance and General Purpose Committee headed by the Executive Chairman.

It has all the Commissioners as Members, while the Secretary to the Commission, Lucky U. Ikharo serves as its Secretary.

The Administration and Employee Relations Committee is chaired by the Commissioner for North – East
Hon. Lawan Maina Mahmud with former Clerk of the House of Representatives, Mr Patrick Giwa as his Deputy.

Also, Hon Aminu Ibrahim Malle, Commissioner North-East is now the Chairman of the Committee on Procurement and General Services with Chief Festus Ifesinachi Odii, Commissioner, South – East, as his Deputy Chairman.

Further, Mr Patrick A. Giwa, Commissioner, South – South is now the Chairman of the Establishment, Records and Training Committee while Hon Nnanna Uzor Kalu, Commissioner, South – East, is the Deputy Chairman.

However, Hon. Kalu takes over as the Chairman of the Committee on Zonal Offices and Legislative Aides while Hon. Hanmation Mark Tersoo, Commissioner, North – Central, is the Deputy Chairman.

On the other hand, Chief Festus I. Odii is now Chairman of the Planning, Research and Library Services Committee and Hon. Afeez Ipesa-Balogun, Commissioner, South-West, is the Deputy.

Senator Suleiman Othman, Hunkuyi, Commissioner, North – West, now heads the Committee on Promotion and Discipline. Mrs Mary Ekpenyong, Commissioner,South- South is his Deputy.

Conversely, Hon Afeez Ipesa- Balogun, Commissioner, South – West retained his Chairman ship position of the Committee on Public Affairs while Senator Hunkuyi becomes the Vice Chairman.

The Appeals and Legal Services Committee is now headed by Hon Hanmation Mark Tersoo with Hon Lawan Maina Mahmud as his Deputy. This is even as Hon Salihu Umar Agboola Balogun representing the North Central, is now the Chairman of the Committee on Information and Communication Technology with Alh Yusuf A. Yusuf, Commissioner, North – West, as the Vice Chairman but Alh Yusuf is now the Head of the Internal Audit Committee whereas Mallam Salihu Balogun is the Vice Chairman .

Also, Mrs Mary Ekpenyong, Commissioner, South – South is the Chairman of the Tenders Board with Hon Aminu Ibrahim Malle as her Deputy.

All the Committees have their members from across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

According to the NASC Boss, these redeployments are with immediate effect.