On Thursday, the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution announced that it will organize a national dialogue on Local Government autonomy on Monday, December 2, 2024, in Abuja, SAVANNAH NEWSNOW REPORTS.
During a brief meeting at the National Assembly complex, Deputy Speaker and Committee Chairman, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, stated that the dialogue aims to gather ideas for a comprehensive discussion on the independence of local government administration in Nigeria.
He said: “Distinguished colleagues, I would also like to remind us of the upcoming National Dialogue on Local Government and Constitution Amendment scheduled to hold on Monday, 2nd December 2024, in Abuja. This event is a vital platform to consolidate ideas and strategies for achieving a robust local government framework, which is critical to our constitutional review efforts. In addition, other engagements that we will be having include: public engagement on tax reforms as it concerns the constitution amendment and a public engagement with political parties.
“As we continue in this historic undertaking, let us remain guided
by our shared commitment to strengthening our democracy, deepening our federal structure, and fostering unity and prosperity
for all Nigerians”.
Kalu revealed that the committee plans to start zonal public hearings in January 2025, subsequent to determining the venues for these public sessions.
He mentioned that these hearings will be conducted across 12 states, each representing the six geopolitical zones.
The selected states are Gombe and Borno for the North East; Nassarawa and Niger for the North Central; Kaduna and Sokoto for the North West; Enugu and Imo for the South East; Bayelsa and Cross River for the South South; and Lagos and Ondo for the South West.
Kalu stressed the need for broad participation and urged committee members to collaborate with their state caucuses, governors, and members of the house of assembly to guarantee the success of this initiative.
“These are the locations in all the geopolitical zones for our public engagements next year. Those who are from these states, engage your colleagues in the House, engage your governors and members of your house of assembly. And then draw up your own local plan and let us have it so that we can integrate it into our own plan to guide us. What we expect is to have a full hall.
“The stakeholders engagement list must be drawn to cut across all the relevant stakeholders of the country from your States. Please, do not discriminate against the political parties. No religious biases. No tribes discrimination. Everyone who is a Nigerian should be in that room and then find a way of itemizing your opinion on the 161 areas we are currently looking at so that on that day, it will be easier for people to come in and make presentations that will cover the interest of the stakeholders so that we don’t spend so much time. It’s a lot of work. It’s starting from January”, Kalu said.
