The National Assembly Service Commission, NASC, has called for an increase in the budgetary allocation to National Assembly, saying the appropriated N125 billion is not enough.
The NASC Chairman, Ahmed Amshi, made the call on Tuesday while receiving the Chairman and Commissioners of the Benue State House of Assembly Commission, BSHAC, on a working visit to the commission in Abuja.
According to Mr Amshi, increased funding will enable the legislative arm of the government achieve more and ensure stability.
“The N125 billion appropriated budget of the National Assembly Service Commission is not enough and we seek an increase to enable us achieve more and ensure stability in the legislative arm of government,” Mr Amshi stated.
The chairman, therefore, urged the state assembly commissions to always strive towards separating themselves from the control of the executive in the states.
Mr Amshi noted that allowing the executive arm takes charge of hiring and firing aides to legislators is not acceptable, insisting that such situation erodes the principle of Separation of powers.
According to him, 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,” he said.
Earlier, the chairman of the BSHAC, Dr. Sylvester Atachin, stated that the visit was to rub minds with the commission on how to steer the affairs of the state, especially in the areas of providing critical administrative support to the state House of Assembly.
He said: “Our Journey Commenced with the passage of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission law 2018 which was given ascent by the Governor on 11th Day of April 2018Consequently, 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.”
