Reps hold summit on LG autonomy Monday

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

The Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Committee, Benjamin Kalu, disclosed this on Thursday while chairing a brief meeting of the panel at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The Deputy Speaker, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, stated that the national dialogue aims to consolidate ideas for a robust discourse on the independence of local government administration in Nigeria.

He said: “Distinguished colleagues, I would like to remind us of the upcoming national dialogue on local government and constitution amendment scheduled to be held on Monday, December 2, 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.”

The Deputy Speaker also disclosed 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.

According to him, the hearings will hold as follows-North East: Gombe and Borno States; North Central: Nassarawa 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.

He also spoke about the significance of inclusivity in the task of the committee, saying, “There are locations in all the geo-political 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 Houses of Assembly.

“Draw up your own local plan and let us have it so that we can integrate it into our own plan to guide us. We expect 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 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.”