National Assembly Passes 3,500 Bills; Aides' Welfare Urged

Ogunlana disclosed that the National Assembly has passed over 3,500 bills in three years during a capacity-building training programme for legislative aides in the 10th National Assembly held in Abuja. He mentioned that the National Assembly accommodates more than 14,000 personnel daily, excluding the 469 federal lawmakers and numerous visitors.

Ogunlana urged for the introduction of a special salary scale and better conditions of service for legislative aides, calling on the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to address their remuneration and welfare. He explained that while NASC is responsible for the appointment and administration of legislative aides, their remuneration is determined within a framework developed in conjunction with RMAFC and requires National Assembly approval.

Ogunlana pointed out that the appointments are temporary and non-pensionable, raising questions about whether they should be considered full-time or part-time roles. He stressed that reforms should focus on improving aides' welfare and strengthening their capacity to support lawmakers effectively.