Task ahead of Sani-Omolori, N/Assembly clerk
After the battle to occupy the covered seat of the Clark of the National Assembly’s, new challenges are now before Mohammed SaniOmolori, who assumed duty last Monday.
Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa.
Fika hinged his argument on the fact that Efeturi was due for retirement. The controversy lingered for long but that didn’t stop SaniOmolori from acting as CNA. From May 13 to 15th August, Sani-Omolori acted in that capacity until last Monday when he officially took over as the substantive CNA.
At the peak of the controversy, the members of the National Assembly Service Commission and the top echelon of the National Assembly management were divided. While some queued behind Saraki, others were in support of Fika.
Born on 7th June, 1961 in Okene, Kogi State, Sani-Omolori, a trained lawyer joined the National Assembly in 1992 after serving as the legal officer in the defunct National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA).
His career as a parliamentary staff went on upward swing when he was made a Deputy director in 2003, Director in 2007, Clerk in 2010 and until his elevation he was Clerk to the House of Representatives.
Now, the main challenge before SaniOmolori now is how to cement the crack created by his emergence as from top to down, the National Assembly workforce has been polarised.
National Assembly watchers are of the believe that the success or otherwise of SaniOmolori is highly dependent on his success in reuniting the workforce.
A cross section of the parliamentary staff interviewed said there was urgent need for the new CNA to bring all sides together with a view to strengthening the lawmaking body.
“Expectations are high because of the way he emerged and his experience in the institution. We are expecting a lot from him. He should strengthen areas where his predecessor did well and we expect him to set agenda for himself on how to take the institution to the next level, “a National Assembly worker said.
Outside his power, he said Sani-Omolori is also expected to lead the way for the resolution of the clash between Saraki and Fika.
“He is expected to wear his thinking cap and facilitate the resolution of the dispute between Saraki and Fika using influential Nigerians outside the National Assembly, “he added.
Another issue that is before the new CNA is the controversy that has been trailing the budget of the National Assembly. The budget which has been shrouded in secrecy since 2010 was jerked up from N23.347bn in 2003 to N150billion in 2010 and it was slashed down to N115bilion in 2015 and this year.
On assumption of office, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki pledged to make the details of the budget available for public scrutiny.
After several pledges, he is yet to make the details public. In July, when Daily Trust did an exclusive report on it, he blamed the National Assembly bureaucrats for the delay.
Reacting through his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said, “what has caused the delay is the decision of the management to comply with and follow the bureaucratic procedure. And you know that since the budget details have not been released in over five years, the management will want to be careful to ensure the process and procedures are followed. “
With this, Sani-Omolori is expected to push forward for the release of the details. This will take care of the suspicious on the budget of the National Assembly.
Also, Sani-Omolori is expected to step up the maintenance of the National Assembly Complex as some of its facilities including elevators, are no longer functional.
A source close to him said he (SaniOmolori) plans to reform the workings of the bureaucratic wing of the National Assembly.
He said Sani-Omolori would promote core values of Legislative Agenda through constant interface with relevant stakeholders.
“It is also believed that the new CNA with his experience will be able to manage the 109 Senators and the 360 Reps towards a rancour and crisis free relationship, “he said.
Will Sani-Omolori overcome challenges? Only time will tell. these