The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) on Thursday announced that it will hold a national dialogue on local government autonomy on Monday, 2nd December 2024, in Abuja.
Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, disclosed this in Abuja while briefing members of the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review on the agenda.
He explained that the forthcoming national dialogue on local government autonomy aims to consolidate ideas for a robust discourse 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 a 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.”
Hon. Kalu also announced that the Special Ad-hoc Committee will commence zonal public hearings in January 2025.
This followed the resolution of the committee on the locations of the public engagements.
He said that the hearings will take place in 12 states, representing the six geopolitical zones.
The states include Gombe and Borno (North East); Nasarawa and Niger (North Central); Kaduna and Sokoto (North West); Enugu and Imo (South East); Bayelsa and Cross River (South-South); and Lagos and Ondo (South West), respectively.
Hon. Kalu, who emphasised the importance of inclusivity, encouraged committee members to engage with their respective state caucuses, governors, members of state houses of assembly, political parties, and all other stakeholders to ensure the success of the exercise.
“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. Then, draw up your own local plan and let us have it so that we can integrate it into our plan to guide us. What we expect is to have a full hall.
“The stakeholder engagement list must be drawn to cut across all the relevant stakeholders in the country from your states. Please do not discriminate against political parties. No religious biases. No tribal discrimination. Everyone who is a Nigerian should be in that room, and then find a way of itemising 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 interests of the stakeholders. We don’t want to spend too much time. It’s a lot of work. It’s starting in January,” Hon. Kalu said.
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