Notwithstanding public criticism that the first recess embarked upon by the National Assembly immediately upon inauguration in June this year undermined President Goodluck Jonathan's promise of having his cabinet in place within two weeks of his assumption of office, the National Assembly has proceeded on yet another holiday.

On July 29, both the Senate and the House of Representatives went on recess, this time for almost two months. The point must be made that no serious national parliament anywhere in the world undertakes recess twice within a spate of two months, except in instances where such actions are very compelling and are in the country's national interest.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had gone on a three-week recess a day after the 7th National Parliament was inaugurated on June 6, this year. Their argument then was that it was necessitated by the need to allow staff of the assembly enough time to allocate new offices, assign seats in the chambers, and generally prepare all the necessary administrative processes and mechanisms required for the smooth workings of the legislature. Barely a month after they returned from that recess, they have embarked on a much longer one.

Two weeks ago, senate president, David Mark, while speaking on the motion by senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, on the need to proceed on recess, said the upper chamber would only reconvene on September 13 except there is a serious national issue that would warrant members being recalled. "If there are good reasons for us to reconvene before that date, we would do so, especially if there is a serious national issue to tackle," he said.

The implication of this statement is that there are currently no serious national issues facing Nigeria for our senate to tackle!

Only last week, nationwide apprehension over the threat of industrial action by organized labour enveloped the nation, following the breakdown in negotiations between labour and the federal government across the country. The questions are: Is the threat by organized labour to down tools in the face of the seeming frustrations and policy crisis by both the federal government and the states, over the implementation of the national minimum wage, not a serious national issue? What are our legislators who were elected to make laws and promote peace, stability and good governance doing within the purview of their constitutional roles to address these serious national issues? Are the current security challenges not serious national issues that need to be tackled? What about the several over sight functions of the legislature in critical sectors such as education, electricity, health, economy and environment, etc?

Taking a cue from the Senate, the House of Representatives has also gone on recess. It is billed to resume on September 12. Curiously, the break was taken by the lower chamber at a time when it announced to Nigerians that it had received 40 bills, 58 motions and four petitions, which the House itself said needed urgent legislative action!

We are of the firm view that these arbitrary recesses must stop, as they do not portray our lawmakers as serious people. In the United States from where we borrowed the current bi-cameral legislature under the presidential system, the congress has a well publicized legislative schedule, which it makes public at the beginning of every legislative year. Under the congressional schedules, special days such as public holidays -- Martin Luther King (Jr) holiday, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, etc, -- are captured, making it obvious to every American that congress would not be in session on such days.

Our National Assembly cannot and must not therefore operate on an ad hoc basis. Its legislative schedules and calendars must be clearly stated and respected by the leadership and membership of both houses. In his acceptance speech as senate president in June this year, Senator David Mark had pledged to ensure the birth of a new National Assembly. He must live up to this promise. The National Assembly has suffered serious reputation crisis since 1999 when the country returned to constitutional government. We are therefore of the firm view that this habit of going on recess at the slightest excuse must stop as it doesn't portray our lawmakers as serious people committed to good governance.

Such Actions can only be justified if they return with a Clean clear brain that will aid them in tackling all the numerous issues already on ground in the Country.