COVID-19: Senate, Reps Adjust Plenary Sessions To Once A Week

As the Federal Government gets set to reopen Nigeria’s economy on Monday after over a month of lockdown, the two chambers of the National Assembly will now hold plenary sessions once a week as measures to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

This was conveyed in a circular to Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and House of Representative Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila in which the clerk of the national assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori stated that the clerks of the Upper and Lower Chamber and secretaries of the directorates are expected to come to work on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Sani-Omolori said all aides to the lawmakers would continue to work from home, adding that all banks, restaurants and other businesses within the national assembly are to remain shut.

He stated: “Since the chambers will sit on Tuesdays only. all essential staff of the two Chambers already identified and cleared, shall come to work on Mondays and Tuesdays only. All National Assembly Directors and Committee Clerks are to come to work on Mondays. Wednesdays and Fridays only.

“Clerks and secretaries to directorates will continue to identify on need basis, staff required for specific assignments from time to time and forward the list to the committee constituted in paragraph ix.

“All banks, restaurants and other business outfits within the National Assembly complex shall remain closed.

“For the duration of this period, only the main Gate shall be operational for staff. However, the presidential gate shall be available for legislators on Tuesdays. The working hours throughout this period shall be from 9.000am to 2.00pm.”

The National Assembly clerk further implored the lawmakers and staff to follow healthcare guidelines approved by the government.