Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday
said that his experience since his
assumption of office three months ago has
been both interesting and challenging.
Saraki spoke while answering questions from
reporters after his official tour of the National
Assembly Complex in Abuja, the first of such
tour to be embarked upon by any Senate
president since 1992 when the National
Assembly moved to its present location.
He, however, said that the rewarding aspect
of the job is the overwhelming support he
has received from his colleagues, the
management and staff of the National
Assembly, Nigerians in general and the
international community.
On his experience so far since assuming
office on June 9, the Senate president said:
“Well, it is interesting, challenging but I think
what is rewarding about it is the support
from one’s colleagues, the management and
the enthusiasm that you see going round with
some of the staff of the National Assembly;
also, similar support from Nigerians from all
walks of life and the international
community.”
He said the familiarization tour was meant to
allow him and the principal officers of the
Upper Chamber of the National Assembly to
have an on-the-spot assessment of the
environment so as to make for good
understanding of issues and challenges
being faced by both staff and management of
the National Assembly.
Saraki said: “The Assembly complex
represents the image of the National
Assembly; so, it is important for us to see
what the issues are and have an
understanding of the environment. Unless
you go round and have a first-hand
understanding, sometimes, it is difficult for
you to understand what the issues and
challenges are for all the staff, their
conditions, productivity and all that.
“By the time I go round, I will have a better
understanding and I will know what the
issues are and we will be able to tackle them
one by one.”
On his impression of the situation of the
complex after the tour, Saraki said: “By and
large, I think for an institution like this – and
over the many years of its existence as well
as the number of staff – I think the
maintenance is generally acceptable.” He,
however, urged the management to improve
on what is on ground so as to protect and
project a better image of the legislative
institution.
“I think, of course, there is still areas of
improvement here and there, considering the
number of people here, people that are
coming in and out.”
He stated that the upper chamber is
committed to fulfilling its promises to
Nigerians by connecting with the people.
Saraki said: “There is a general desire to
make the country proud with what we are
doing here and I think we all have to keep to
the promises we have made to all Nigerians
– that we will do our best to connect with
Nigerians and let Nigerians appreciate that
we are here to serve and to work for the
good of this country.”
Areas of the complex visited by the Senate
President and other principal officers of the
Senate included the Offices of the Clerk and
Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly,
Foreign Affairs Office of the Senate, the
Senate Press Centre, the Police Station,
State Security Service (SSS), Office of the
Sergeant-At-Arms, Senate’s Tea Room,
Hansard Reporters section, National
Assembly Television and Radio Studio, Clinic,
Library, the Nigeria Police and Defence
Liaison Offices.
Others are the Procurement, Estate and
Works Directorate, Corporate Services
Directorate, Personnel Department, Offices
of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence
Corps, National Assembly Station of the
Nigeria Fire Service, Dental and Eye Clinics,
Legal Department, Finance and Accounts
Directorate and the Canteen.
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