I am having interesting experience as Senate President —Saraki
September 9, 2015
Written by:
Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja
SENATE President Bukola Saraki said on Wednesday that he was having a time of his life as Senate President of the country so far.
The Senate President who stated this after a tour of the National Assembly complex said that his experience since assumption of office three months ago has been both interesting and challenging.
He told newsmen after the tour that he was happy with his job.
The Senate President spoke to 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 said: “It is interesting and challenging but I think what is rewarding about it is the support from one’s colleagues and the enthusiasm from some of the members of staff of the National Assembly. Also, similar support from Nigerians from all walks of life and the international community.”
Saraki told newsmen that the familiarisation tour was meant to allow him and the principal officers of the Upper Chamber have on-the-spot assessment of the environment so as to make for understanding of issues and challenges being faced by both staff and management of the National Assembly.
He further 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 to understand what the issues and challenges are, including the members of staff, their conditions, productivity and all that. By the time I go round; I will have a better understanding.”
A statement by his media office also quoted the senate President as saying that: “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.”
The Senate President added: “I think, of course, there is still area of improvement here and there, considering the number of people here, people that are coming in and out. I think there are some areas that again, particularly key areas of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Research.
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.”
The statement quoted the areas he visited as including 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.
