Nigeria’s Senate returned from its mid-term break to a watery session on Tuesday as the National Assembly complex, NASS, Abuja, got flooded from its leaking roofs following an early morning downpour in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Worst affected was the central lobby at the popular ‘White House’ section of the complex, adjoining the Senate and House of Representatives chambers.
Apart from the lobby, the third and last gate to the premises, as well as the road linking the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to the National Assembly, were also soaked in flood.
Lawmakers and staffers who arrived work early were shocked at the major national embarrassment as workers from two companies contracted for cleaning services were seen mopping flood water as the rain continued. In fact, water was seen falling through various points on the leaking roof as cleaners battled to keep the floor dry.
The Senate resumed plenary on Tuesday while the House returns to work on Monday, June 28, 2021.
Work slowed at the various committee rooms at the House as several committees which had scheduled their meetings and hearings for the morning were forced to delay the activities.
Many workers and guests were reportedly trapped in their vehicles.
The House Committee on Disabilities, which was to begin an investigative hearing on ‘The Need to Investigate the Alleged Violation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and Private Airline Operators’ had to start one hour, 15 minutes, behind its original commencement at 11 a.m.
Similarly, the House Committees on Communications; Justice; Information and Culture; and National Security and Intelligence, which had scheduled its investigative hearing on the ban recently imposed by the Federal Government on the microblogging platform, Twitter, had to move the event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.