DEPARTMENTS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

To a large audience, the National Assembly revolves round the Legislators but in reality the bureaucrats or civil servants of the Assembly make the rotation happen. Without these set of people, the National Assembly will experience a total shutdown and probably go comatose. 

To better understand the workings of the National Assembly, it is important to have an idea of the various functionalities of departments, divisions and units of the National Assembly. EOTM is committed to making available this information, to allow a deeper understanding of the National Assembly. Today we introduce to you the Department of Table Duties, as we intend to bring you all departments, divisions and units in due time.

THE TABLE DUTIES DEPARTMENT

Prior to the implementation of the assented Bill of the National Assembly Service Commission Act 2000 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill by Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in 2014, the Table Duties Department was a Division of the Senate of the National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria.  It was headed by a Deputy Director who was also the Clerk of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business.

Following the re-enactment of the National Assembly Service Commission Act by the National Assembly, and its assent by Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Table Duties Division became a full-fledged Department of the Directorate of Senate in accordance with section 14 of the Second Schedule of the NASC Act 2014.  Thereafter, a Director { Iku Obiageli P. (Mrs)} was appointed as the Head of the Department.

The Department has three Divisions; each headed by a Deputy Director.  They are:

 (1)   Order Paper and Notice Paper:

The Order Paper and Notice Paper Division outlines the business of the Senate every legislative day.  In a layman’s language, the Order Paper is the agenda of the day’s business at the floor of the Senate Chamber.

The Notice Paper on the other hand outlines the business of the Senate for the week(s).  It notifies and enables Senators have fore knowledge and get prepared of the Senate business coming up on a later date.

 (2)   Bills and Motions:

Bills and motions Division receive Bills sent to the Senate and refer such to the Legal Department for appropriate formatting where necessary and then send to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business Committee for further action.

Also, the Division receives Bills for Concurrence from the House of Representatives and refers them to the Rules and Business Committee for appropriate action.

(3)   Sessional Calendars and Technical Committee:

It is the responsibility of the Division to draft the legislative calendar for each session. That is, outlining days to be in session and days to go on recess in a given session. This is being carried out in conjunction with the Technical Committee of the Rules and Business Committee.

In a bid to strengthen legislative practice through effective work performance, the Department under my headship has set out as guiding principles the following:-

Functions of the Department

The Table Duties Department is an essential / indispensable Department in the Senate.

The major functions of the Department are;

• To receive Bills and refer them to the Legal Department for appropriate formatting where necessary before sending them to the Rules and Business Committee for further legislative processes e.g. Gazetting, scheduling in the Order Paper.

• To receive Bills for Concurrence from the House of Representatives and refer them to the Rules and Business Committee for appropriate action.

• To supervise the Legislative activities of the Rules and Business Committee

• To Liaise and organize workshop/seminars in respect of parliamentary practice and procedure among members of parliament.

Other functions of the Department include supervising the Rules and Business Committee in order to effectively achieve the following; 

1.  Scheduling and printing of the Business of the Senate on the Order Paper
2.  Allocation of time for the Business of the Senate;
3.  Senate Organization relative to its Rules and Procedure;
4.  Monitoring the passage of Bills that are before the Senate and its   Committees;
5.  Interaction with State Houses of Assembly relative to Rules and Business of the      Senate;
6.  Workshops and seminars in respect of Parliamentary Practice and Procedure for    Senators;
7.  Gazetting of Bills. 

Source:

Senate Department of Table Duties.