Lawmakers in Kogi State on Tuesday amended the State House of Assembly Service Commission Law to extend the retirement age for parliamentary staff to 65 years.
The law also made provision from 35 to 40 years in service notwithstanding the provisions of the civil service law.
As a result of the amendment, a prospective Secretary of the Commission shall be a substantive Director on Grade Level 16 and upon being so appointed shall have the status of a Permanent Secretary.
Also, in line with the amendment, the Chairman of the Commission and his members shall hold office for five years and may be reappointed for another five years of second term, subject to the ratification of Kogi State House of Assembly.
Earlier in the lead debate, the lawmaker representing Okene Town State Constituency, Hon Sulyman Abdulrasaq, who is the Majority Leader of the House, argued that the extension of service year would boost performance, improve morale and help impartation of experience to younger staff.
Other legislators who contributed to the need for the amendments are the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Paul Enema who represents Dekina / Okura and representative of Olamaboro state constituency, Hon Ujah Aliwo Anthony.
In another development, the bill for a law to establish the Kogi State Meat Hygiene and Inspection Law 2023 has scaled second reading.
Leading the debate, the lawmaker representing Okene Town State Constituency, Hon Sulyman Abdulrazaq, who noted that the bill is an executive one, argued that if passed into law it would give room for processed and wholesome meat to be sold in the state.
He added that it would also provide standard abattoirs and keep proper data of animal slaughtered in the state.
On his part, the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aliyu Umar Yusuf, said it would also help generate more revenue for government and create hygienic places for slaughtering of animals in Kogi State.
