Constitution Review: Reps Panel Holds Dialogue On LG Autonomy Monday, Zonal Hearing January

House of Representatives Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution will hold a national dialogue on local government autonomy on Monday, December 2, 2024, in Abuja.

The deputy speaker and chairman of the Committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, disclosed this at Thursday’s panel meeting at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Kalu said the national dialogue aimed to consolidate ideas for a robust discourse on the independence of local government administration in Nigeria.

He said, “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 they concern the constitution amendment and 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 also announced that the committee would commence zonal public hearings in January 2025.

This followed the resolution of the committee on the locations of the public engagements.

The Deputy Speaker said the hearings will occur in 12 States, representing the six geopolitical zones.

The States include North East: Gombe and Borno States; North Central: Nasarawa and Niger; North West: Kaduna and Sokoto; South East: Enugu and Imo States; South-South: Bayelsa and Cross River States; and South West: Lagos and Ondo States.

Kalu stressed the importance of inclusivity and encouraged committee members to engage with their respective state caucuses, governors, and House of Assembly members to ensure the exercise’s success.

“These are the locations in all the geopolitical zones for our public engagements next year. Those from these states engage your colleagues in the House, engage your governors and members of your House of Assembly. Then, draw up your local plan and let us integrate it into our plan to guide us. What we expect is to have a packed hall.

“The stakeholder’s 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 tribe 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 interest of the stakeholders so that we don’t spend so much time. It’s starting from January”, he said.