 |
| National Assembly |
The National Assembly has formally asked the Federal Government to review its long-standing monetisation policy on official accommodation, arguing that the arrangement has widened the gap between lawmakers and their legislative aides and weakened service delivery. The appeal was made by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, in Abuja on Thursday while delivering closing remarks at a one-month training programme for legislative aides.
Ogunlana noted that many aides live far from their principals, a situation that undermines synergy, coordination and efficiency in legislative work. He recalled the earlier period when lawmakers were housed at the former Apo Quarters in Abuja and many aides lived nearby, an arrangement disrupted by the Federal Government’s monetisation policy.
“I believe Government may wish to consider reviewing the policy, with a view to providing appropriate official accommodation for Members and personnel of the National Assembly. Such an arrangement could also provide significant relief to Legislative Aides and improve coordination with their Principals,” he said.
The Clerk also addressed the strain on the existing National Assembly Clinic, which was originally designed for lawmakers, career staff and their families but has been stretched by the additional demand from legislative aides and their dependants. He assured the approximately 14,000 staff that a new world-class medical facility is already under construction and is expected to become operational around this time next year. The centre will be equipped with modern medical facilities and staffed by experts across various fields of medicine.
In addition, Ogunlana urged legislative aides to update their records of service ahead of the terminal date of the 10th National Assembly. Accurate records, he stressed, are essential for the smooth processing of their severance allowances when due.
The dual appeal—on housing and healthcare—highlights growing concerns about the welfare and operational effectiveness of the National Assembly’s support staff. By linking proximity of accommodation to improved legislative output and promising better medical services, the Clerk framed both issues as critical to the institution’s efficiency as the current Assembly approaches its end.
The call places the monetisation policy, introduced years ago to reduce government expenditure on housing, under fresh scrutiny. Whether the Federal Government will revisit the policy remains to be seen, but the National Assembly’s leadership has made clear that the current arrangement is no longer serving the practical needs of lawmakers and their aides.