… State Assemblies Say Will Vote Yes For Financial Autonomy For Self
SAN FRANCISCO, October 28, (THEWILL) – The National Assembly on Tuesday transmitted the amended copy of 1999 Constitution to State Houses of Assembly for either concurrence or rejection.
This was sequel to the passage of the conference report of the revised copy by both chambers last week.
Receiving the report, Chairman of the State Houses of Assembly, Rt Hon Sam Ikon vowed that the state Assemblies will vote a yes to the proposal to grant financial autonomy to state Assemblies.
The Assemblies are simply expected to vote “Yes” or “No” on each clause. Each amendment requires approval by resolution of the Assemblies of not less than two-thirds of all the States, which translates to 24 States to scale through in accordance with the provisions of Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution.
Senate President David Mark in his remarks noted that the essence of the alterations is to get the views of all Nigerians and look at areas where they are problems and urged the State Assemblies to do the right thing and bring governance nearer to the people.
Chairman Of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 constitution, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu pleaded with State Assemblies to treat the report urgently and appealed to them to conclude work on it before December this year.
According to the Deputy Senate President, the constitution amendment is an aggregation of the will of the Nigerian people adding that the legislature has long recognized that to secure the future of Nigeria in political, social and economic terms, it must invariably review our Constitution to meet the aspirations and needs of our diverse people and to facilitate national development in an equitable manner.
He also noted that durability of constitutions depends on public support as citizens are less inclined to support a constitution without their input. By involving citizens in the constitution review process, the legislature has indeed made a huge stride in rekindling the sense of optimism and inclusivity.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has said the National Assembly did not target anybody or institution in passing the amendment bill of the 1999 Constitution.
The deputy speaker said the National Assembly acted in the overall best interest of Nigerians in passing the bill and urged the state legislatures to also act likewise.
Speaking when the bill was transmitted to the state assemblies Hon. Ihedioha said: “Let me use this opportunity to say that we are not at loggerheads with anybody or institution. Some of the amendments are not intended to whittle down the powers of any tier of government, or to undermine any tier.
“They simply reflect the views of Nigerians which was expressed at the Peoples Public Sessions, conducted in the 360 Federal Constituencies of Nigeria.
Receiving the Bill on behalf of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures and Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the Rt. Hon, Samuel Ikon, assured that the Bill would receive accelerated and positive action.
EMMA UCHE, ABUJA.
