Don’t play politics with revised NASS service conditions, Egwim warns FG

Charles Okonji

A HUMAN rights lawyer, Victor Egwim, has warned that the relevant authorities should desist from playing politics with the implementation of revised National Assembly condition of service, as it will amount to rape of democracy.

Egwim, who said this in a statement made available to The Nation, maintained that the move by a faceless group calling for its suspension is anti-democratic and must be resisted by all.

He urged the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker to the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to rapidly intervene, adding that the commission has to be rescued from the hands of democratic enemies.

Egwim said; “The new regulation has been in operation since the 8th Assembly and currently being adopted at the State Houses of Assembly. The revised condition for service was targeted at putting the Nigeria Parliamentary Workers at par with international standard.”

He stressed that the call for suspension of the reviewed conditions of service was a calculated attempt in witch-hunting the head of NASS Bureaucracy, adding that it looks like the overall head was the target.

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Commending the current leadership’s innovation, he said; “the current leadership of NASS workers have no doubt proven their worth by its prompt delivery on the following projects, which includes; construction of long-abandoned and disused car park, construction and opening of the Arterial road within the NASS complex, rehabilitation of the water supply system, erosion control works at the police gate of NASS complex, provision of security gadgets to enhance security and security surveillance, provision of uninterrupted internet access and back-up, automation of NASS offices, ongoing renovation of NASS complex, enhanced trainings, and ongoing negotiation to boost power supply to the NASS complex amongst others.”

“The NASS which was headed by Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbjabiamila concurred and amended it. So it was amended for the benefit of everyone, and not for any specific individual. Obstructing the implementation is not in the interest of the national service, but for selfish reasons.”