NASS set to embark on staff reforms

The National Assembly has declared State of Emergency on Capacity Development for all cadres of its staff .

It added that the era of staff handling a schedule for 10 to 20 years would become a thing of the past through series of reforms to be rolled out for better service delivery .

Implementation of the state of emergency on capacity development for workers of the federal parliament, commenced with a 4 – day workshop for intermediate and senior management staff at the Chida Hotel in Abuja Monday .

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the capacity – building workshop, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambuwal, said training remains a critical tool for development and promotion of organisational growth and  superlative solution for closing the capacity gaps that the current National Assembly Management identified in its assessment tour of all Directorates.

The  training according to him,  is part of renewed efforts to evolve a more resourceful, professional and efficient National Assembly bureaucracy that is capable of optimally discharging its statutory responsibilities.

He said: “The intrinsic values and attractions of trainings make it possible for organisations to retain top talents.

“That is why the Management has declared a ‘state-of-emergency’ on capacity development for staff of the National Assembly.

“This became our resolve, having realised that it is an improved workforce combined with institutional structures, tools and a Staff-friendly welfare system that would catapult the National Assembly Service to the enviable height.

“The theme of this workshop: ‘Re-orientation for improved Productivity and Service Delivery’ and the incidental topics are carefully chosen to expose participants to new terrains and dimensions in the world of Public Service to galvanise our service delivery capacity. As Jack Welch, an American Business Executive opined, the ultimate competitive advantage of an organisation is its ability to learn and rapidly translate the learning into action.

“It is therefore, our hope that this training would enable all participants not only to teach the vision and mission we represent as an indispensable arm of government, but to also put them into use for the benefit and good of all.”

He added that aside capacity  development training , improved welfare and good working condition for staff, are also being envisioned for them .

“In  our desire to be more staff-centred and to leave an enduring legacy through institutional reforms, the management has no doubt expressed its passion for staff welfare in several ways.

“Hence, the recent procurement of Coaster Buses for the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), National Assembly Chapter, the ongoing revitalisation of the National Assembly Clinic and improved stocking of its mini-pharmacy with medications, the recent Lagos labour-management relations workshop, other training programmes that are in the offing, our open door policy, and decentralised approach to administration are all manifestations of our  efforts for the realisation of a more conducive workplace” he added.

Earlier in his speech, the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Barrister  Birma Shaibu Maina, said the intensive capacity development workshop being organised for all categories of Staff in NASS, will reposition it for better service delivery to the lawmakers and Nigerians generally

“Conservative scenario of a staff  staying on a particular schedule for close to 10 to 20 years , would be a thing of the past,” he said.