From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives, on Friday said it has received a total of 305 memoranda and 112 bills in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended).
The deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who disclosed said the House Committee on Constitution Review is set time begin the review of the memoranda.
This is as the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the 10th National Assembly will produce a constitution that will address the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens.
A statement by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, indicated that Akpabio and Kalu spoke at the retreat, which is holding in Ikot Ekpene, in Akwa Ibom State.
The Senate President, while urging the federal lawmakers to be thorough in the ongoing review of the constitution, stated that every bill and proposal must receive the needed consideration.
According to him, “I believe that at the end of the day, the senate and the House of Representatives will create a blueprint that guides us towards a more united and prosperous Nigeria. This journey has just begun in this retreat. So, ladies and gentlemen, the challenges before us are significant, but so are the opportunities.
“This opportunity is to ensure that the bills, all bills we consider and comprehend are fair, reflective of the aspiration of the Nigerian people.
We must take into account the diverse perspectives and experiences that make up our great nation. By doing so, we lay a solid foundation for a constitution that truly represents the hope and dreams of every single Nigerian alive.”
On his part, Kalu identified the top priority in the Constitution review to include local government autonomy, judiciary, electoral matters, state police, gender, human right issues amongst others.
The deputy speaker added that the committee will citizens from across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, as well as hold a National Public hearing in Abuja before the end of 2024.
“In keeping faith with the timeline it set for itself to achieve the first set of amendment by December 2025, the Committee has undertaken the following activities: pre-inaugural meeting; sub-committees on workplan development; inauguration of the Committee; call for memoranda
appointment and inauguration of Consultants; retreat of the Secretariat and Consultants of the House
joint Committee Secretariat and Consultants of both the Senate and the House
“Today, the Committee will now be presented with the outcome of the review of the bills and memos received.
Furthermore, the Constitutional amendments are instrumental in achieving better economic outcome by modernizing legal frameworks, enhancing institutional capacity, better enhancing Nigeria economic potentials, addressing emerging economic challenges and facilitating inclusive development.
“Constitutional amendment have become imperative for a couple of reasons including the need to adapt to changing economic realities; to strengthen property rights and the rule of law; to promote economic freedom and fear competition; to foster fiscal responsibilities and budgetary discipline; to enhance governance and accountability; to empower subnational government and; to facilitate for structural reforms, ” he stated.