NASC Chairman Urges NASS Staff to Earn the Trust of the Citizens They Serve

THE Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission, NASC, Engr. Ahmed Amshi has asked staff of the National Assembly to be a model of good governance that will at the end of the day, earn the trust of the National Assembly leadership and the citizens they ultimately serve.

Speaking on Monday at the opening of a four- day capacity building training for 318 staff of the National Assembly on re- orientation for improved productivity and effective service delivery organised by the National Assembly in collaboration with Zaramat Global Company Limited, Amshi urged the staff to move forward with renewed energy and purpose.

Represented by the Commissioner, South West, Hon. Akamo Hakeem Olabode, the NASC Chairman said, “In this times of change and challenges, it is more important than ever that we redouble our efforts to deliver the highest standards of service and support to the members of the National Assembly.

The public rightly expects efficient, effective, and responsive governance, and it falls on us to provide services that create a conducive atmosphere for that to happen in our respective duties and responsibilities.

“To this end, I am committed to driving a renewed focus on staff training and professional development, streamlining processes, and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. By empowering our workforce and embracing modern, technology-enabled ways of working, we will enhance productivity and responsiveness at every level.

“According to Levy (1994) productivity is a measure of how much the goals of the organization is achieved through his or her commitment for effective performance . Productivity might be higher or lower depending on your input. Productivity can be determined through job evaluation and appraisal in turn produce effective service delivery. This is where today’s training comes very handy.

“I also pledge to strengthen transparency and accountability within the National Assembly Service, both NASS and the Commission.

“We must be a model of good governance, earning the trust of the National Assembly leadership and the citizens we ultimately serve.

“Together, let us move forward with renewed energy and purpose. I have every confidence that the National Assembly Bureaucracy is populated by talented, hard-working individuals who share my vision for a more effective and efficient job performance. “

In his opening remarks, Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Sani Tambawal said that the training became imperative against the backdrop thatupon assumption of office, the National Assembly Management under his leadership identified human capacity building as a core priority area of focus in their efforts to develop, strengthen and reposition the National Assembly to carry out its statutory responsibilities.

He said that during the four day training, the National Assembly staff would be engaged with expert facilitators to share knowledge and experience on a number of key topics, including:General Overview of Public Service Rules and Regulations; Understanding the National Assembly: Its Legislative and Administrative Structure; Minutes and Report Writing in the Legislature and Misconducts & Disciplinary Procedures in the Public Service.

According to Tambawal, other areas are Legislative Practice and Procedure; Work Ethics, Productivity & Professionalism in the Public Service; Oath of Secrecy Act,1962 and Freedom of Information Act, 2011; Making Legislative Committees System Effective: Functions and Activities of Committee Clerks; Developing Organizational Culture and Values and An Overview of Financial Regulations of the National Assembly.

The CNA said, “Training and retraining are essential components of professional growth and development, particularly in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving work environment. Workers must adapt and acquire new skills to remain relevant and competitive, as new technologies emerge, industries shift and job requirements change. Only continuous training and retraining will enable individuals to stay up-to-date with industry trends as well as expand their career opportunities to drive innovation, productivity and success in their fields.

“You may recall that upon assumption of office, the National Assembly Management under my humble leadership identified human capacity building as a core priority area of focus in our efforts to develop, strengthen and reposition the National Assembly to carry out its statutory responsibilities.

“To accomplish this goal, we began the 2023 training series, which resulted in the successful training of Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety (3,990) Staff on Salary Grade Levels from 4 to 16. The training we are about to declare open today is in furtherance of our promise to train and retrain staff for the growth of the National Assembly.

“It is therefore, my pleasure to stand before you today as we embark on this historic 4-day capacity building programme, dedicated to fostering re-orientation for improved productivity and effective service delivery in the National Assembly.

“As you are all aware, the National Assembly stands as one of the pillars of our evolving democracy. The effectiveness of our legislative processes and the overall impact we make on the governance of this country largely depend on your dedication and quality services. You have always worked behind the scene, ensuring the smooth functioning of the National Assembly by rendering diverse support services ranging from scrutinising and cleaning of bills to organisation of committee sessions, legislative research and administrative oversight.

“This capacity-building initiative is thus, not only an occasion for learning and skill enhancement; it is also a profound step towards renewing our commitment to excellence in service to the legislature and our country at large.

“In an ever-evolving world where governance structures are increasingly complex and the expectations of our people are higher than ever before, the National Assembly must be at the forefront of modernisation, transparency, and accountability. To achieve this, our staff must be continually trained and re-trained to discharge your responsibilities with increased efficiency and commitment.

“This programme is aimed at equipping you with new skills to enhance your performance and contribute to the effectiveness of the National Assembly. For us in the National Assembly, this re-orientation programme means instilling a deeper sense of responsibility, integrity and patriotism in our work. It further signifies recognising that our roles are essential services to the Nigerian and Legislature and the people.

“Improved productivity and effective service delivery can only be realised when we all embrace this re-orientation programme. We must understand that every action and decision we take and service we render has a direct impact on the institution and lives of the people we represent. Our work, regardless of our cadre, would contribute to the building of a more functional, just and a prosperous legislature.