...Zonal Public Hearings to Follow in January
The House of Representatives is set to hold a national dialogue on Local Government autonomy on Monday, December 2, 2024, in Abuja, as part of its ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution. The event, organized by the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, aims to provide a platform for robust discussions on the independence of local government administration in Nigeria.
Chairman of the committee and Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, made the announcement during a meeting at the National Assembly complex. According to him, the dialogue will consolidate strategies and ideas for strengthening local governance in the country.
“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,” Kalu said.
He also revealed that the committee plans to engage the public on tax reforms related to the constitutional amendment and hold discussions with political parties as part of the broader constitutional review process.
Zonal Public Hearings Begin January 2025
In addition, Kalu announced that the committee will commence zonal public hearings in January 2025. These hearings will be held in 12 states across the six geopolitical zones:
- North East: Gombe and Borno
- North Central: Nasarawa and Niger
- North West: Kaduna and Sokoto
- South East: Enugu and Imo
- South South: Bayelsa and Cross River
- South West: Lagos and Ondo
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He emphasized the need for inclusivity in the hearings and urged committee members to collaborate with their state caucuses, governors, and house of assembly members to ensure maximum participation.
“The stakeholder engagement list must cut across all relevant sectors of the country. There should be no discrimination based on political affiliation, religion, or ethnicity. Every Nigerian must be represented,” Kalu stated.
The Deputy Speaker highlighted the importance of involving all stakeholders to address the 161 areas currently under review in the constitution. He called for thorough preparation to facilitate meaningful contributions from the public during the hearings.
The national dialogue and subsequent public hearings form part of the House of Representatives’ broader commitment to strengthening democracy and deepening Nigeria’s federal structure.
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