Since assuming his role in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE, the Executive Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), together with his commissioners, has prioritized addressing the longstanding infrastructure deficits that have hindered the Commission’s operations and affected its mandate delivery.
From his first to third year in office, Amshi focused on closing the infrastructure gaps that were not only operational barriers but also impeded service delivery. Alongside his team and the committees from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, he conducted multiple inspection tours at the facilities provided and allocated by the National Assembly within the three arms zone.
Determined to resolve the two-decade-long accommodation issues facing NASC, Amshi advocated for a comprehensive approach to construct a suitable office building for the Commission. This new building was envisioned to facilitate easier coordination with the National Assembly, which the Commission administratively superintends and supervises.
After numerous site visits and consultations, the Commission, in collaboration with the National Assembly’s joint committee, decided to re-engage with engineers and architects. The cost originally estimated at N2.5 billion was revised to N11 billion in 2023, reflecting the sharp rise in building material costs. This project was incorporated into the 2022 budget and subsequently inaugurated.
The new office, set to replace the current leased space in a private residence at Utako—which has presented challenges such as high rental costs and unsuitable conditions—aims to provide a more functional and conducive working environment. Despite the constraints of the rental agreement, which limited major structural changes, Amshi’s team managed to make necessary adjustments to the private structure.
With over 90% of the construction completed, despite the significant increase in the cost of materials like cement, wood, and paint, the project is on track for early completion. The new office at the three arms zone is expected to be commissioned before the end of the current commission’s term.
This achievement marks a significant turnaround in the public service sector, often plagued by delays and abandoned projects. Under Amshi’s leadership, the narrative has shifted from stagnation to progress, demonstrating a commitment to resolving NASC’s long-standing logistical and accommodation issues.
The near completion and upcoming commissioning of the new office accommodation will enable NASC to perform its statutory functions more effectively, without the hindrances of infrastructure and manpower deficits. This strategic location and the resolution of these persistent issues are poised to end the quarter-century-long office accommodation crisis faced by NASC.
The successful completion of this project not only reflects a significant public service improvement but also highlights the effective and results-oriented approach of Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE and his team. This development is a testament to their commitment to national development and the fulfillment of long-held promises to the Commission.
This article was written by Abubakar Yusuf. For more information, he can be reached at yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.