By Nathaniel Zacchaeus
The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) would today (Tuesday) make public its decision on the outgoing Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr Olatunde Ojo.
Sources at NASC explained that the Commissioners of the agency held a marathon meeting on Monday but kept sealed lips after the parley causing serious tension in the federal parliament.
One of the commissioners told our correspondent in confidence that the NASC Chairman would brief journalists on their decision today (Tuesday).
The source said, “We have agreed that the NASC Chairman should wait till tomorrow (Today) before addressing journalists on the matter.”
The NASC Commissioners’ meeting was to deliberate on the appointment of an acting Clerk to the National Assembly.
The outgoing CNA had on Friday agreed to proceed on his pre-retirement leave following the withdrawal of his earlier letter requesting the commission to allow him to spend the leave in the office.
A letter from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Folashade Yemi-Esan, also empowered Ojo to spend his three months of pre-retirement leave in the office.
Ojo was supposed to commence his mandatory three months of pre-retirement leave today (Monday) November 14, preparatory to his final exit from office on February 14, 2023, when he would have attained the retirement age of 60 years.
He had earlier written the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Ahmed Amshi, seeking to spend the three months on his desk.
Just before the Commissioners of NASC could sit on his request, Ojo withdrew the letter on Friday evening, creating an impression that he was ready to proceed on leave immediately.
Mr. Smart Olanrewaju, the Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, forwarded a letter from the Head of Service to the NASC.
The Office of the Speaker had earlier written to the HoS seeking her opinion on whether or not it was proper for Ojo to spend his three months of pre-retirement leave in the office.
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The HoS in the response said there was nothing wrong with Ojo’s request.
The letter was signed by a Director, Adebayo Odejinmi, for the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation
It was addressed to the Office of the Speaker House of Representatives, through the Chief of Staff.
It read, “I am directed to refer to your letter dated 10th November 2022 on the above subject seeking clarification on pre-retirement leave. The pre-retirement leave is provided for in the Public Service Rule (PSR) 100238 which states:
“Officers are required to give three months’ notice to retire from service before the effective date of retirement.
“At the commencement of the three months, officers should proceed immediately on the compulsory one-month pre-retirement, workshop, and seminar.
“For the remaining two months retiring officers are expected to take necessary measures to put their records straight to facilitate the speedy processing of their retirement benefits.
“Going by the provision, it is compulsory for the retiring officer to give a notice three months before his/her retirement.
“Among other intents, this provision is to enable the MDA to arrange a replacement in good time, for the officer.
“As provided in the rule and where organised, the retiring officer will attend the one-month pre-retirement seminar.
“He/she is expected, in his/her interest. to gather his/her records from various MDAs, he or she might have served. This is to facilitate the processing of his/her retirement benefits,
“It is, therefore, not out of order if the officer chooses to work in the office during the period. Please accept, the assurances of the warm regards of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives through his Chief of Staff, immediately conveyed the HoS letter to the NASC, with written communication.
Gbajabiamila’s letter, dated November 11, 2022, with Ref Nos NASS/SPK/ADM/VOL 1/5288, read:
“The Executive Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission, Plot 664 TOS Benson Crescent Off Okonjo-Iweala Way, Utako District, Abuja.
“Guidance on mandatory three months pre-retirement leave of a retiring civil servant.
“I am directed to refer the National Assembly Service Commission to the correspondence from the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, HCSF/314/93 on the above subject.
“The Speaker of the House of Representatives has directed that the correspondence should be referred to the commission for guidance and clarification on the pre-retirement leave of a retiring civil servant.
“Attached herewith are copies of the above-referred correspondence, HCSF/314/93, and the official inquiry letter from the Honourable Speaker to the Head of Civil Service of the Federation dated November 10, 2022.
“Please accept the assurances of the Honourable Speaker’s warm regards. Signed: OLANREWAJU SMART Chief of Staff.”
Meanwhile, the Senate had shifted its plenary scheduled to resume on Tuesday (today) to Wednesday (tomorrow).
The Clerk to the Senate, Francis Akubueze, did not give reasons for the one-day shift in the resumption of the Senate in plenary.
