From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said the parliament will would focus on state police, creation of the office mayor for the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), Abuja, local government autonomy, special parliamentary seats for women among others in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution Review ( as amended).
Abbas stated this, on Monday, while speaking at the inauguration the House Special Committee on Constitution Review. He said the parliament shall closely with the executive arm of government at the federal and state levels to ensure that the process is comprehensive.
The speaker, who stated that the parliament is eager to complete the Constitution review in good time, said the National Assembly will involve the state Houses of Assembly in the process in order to foster consensus and expedite the adoption of the proposed alterations by the state legislature.
He added that “more importantly, the process will be deeply rooted in engaging with the Nigerian people at all levels, including traditional and religious institutions, pressure groups and trade unions, ethno-religious organisations, the diaspora community and much more…
“We intend to harness the inputs of all Nigerians at the level of senatorial districts through open forums, public consultations, and digital platforms, ensuring that every voice is heard and considered.”
Earlier, in his welcome address the deputy speaker and chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Benjamin Kalu said the panel would work assiduously to deliver on its assignment within the next 24 months.
According to him, “from this inauguration day onwards, I am proud to announce that we will work diligently to deliver on our assignment within the next 24 months, and we wholeheartedly seek the cooperation and support of all Nigerians. This ambitious timeline not only reflects our commitment to expeditiously address the pressing issues outlined in the proposed bills but also allows Mr. President sufficient time to attend to the alterations for assent away from the busier election preparation times.”