… We hold no predetermined position - Lawan
Harboursandport.com: Abuja - The
Senate has suspended plenary from next week to enable the various groups set up
to oversee the two-day public
hearing across the six geo-political zones carry out the responsibility.
The Senate also disclosed that it has no predetermined
position on any issue of interest to Nigerians ahead of moves to amend 1999
Constitution.
President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan Lawan stressed that the
exercise would avail Nigerians the opportunity to make submissions on any issue
of interest, adding that the National Assembly on its part would prioritize
such issues to enhance the welfare and security of citizens.
Speaking on Wednesday during
plenary after reading a letter signed by the Chairman
of the Constitution Review Committee, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Lawan announced
the chairmanship composition to oversee a two-day public hearing across the six
geo-political zones on proposals to alter the provisions of 1999
constitution.
The Senate President said: “Distinguished
colleagues, this is a very important exercise for our country, and I’ll take
this opportunity to appeal to all Nigerians who have one issue or the
other that than they think the Constitution review of the senate should
know and take note and address.
“It is an opportunity to go to the Centre nearest to you. We are open,
we are plain, we don’t have any preconceived or predetermined position on
anything.
“The numerous issues that Nigerians feel should be addressed to make
Nigeria better, to make citizens secured, and enhance the welfare of our people
are topmost in our consideration.
“Because of this so important assignment, by this very important
Committee of the Senate, the Senate will suspend plenary throughout next week.
“This is to enable not only the committee members, but the rest of us
who are not even members of the Constitution Review Committee to participate in
the exercise.
“Once again, we wish our committee on the review of the constitution the
best of outing, and Nigerians should take every possible opportunity to be
there to present whatever they feel strongly about on how this country could be
better. [And] we are welcoming every suggestion and issue.”
According to Lawan, the zonal public hearing on proposals to alter the
provisions of the 1999 constitution would commence next week and are scheduled
to hold in two Centres in each of the six Geo-political zones in the country,
from Wednesday 26th to Thursday 27th of May, 2021.
The breakdown shows that the North Central, the Jos Centres consisting
of Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue States would be chaired by Senator Abdullahi
Adamu; while the Minna Centre consisting of Niger, Kwara, Kogi and FCT is to be
chaired Senator Abdullahi Sabi Aliyu.
The North-East Centre, which is split into the Bauchi Centre (Bauchi,
Yobe and Borno); and Gombe Centre (Gombe, Taraba and Adamawa) are to be chaired
by Senators Abubakar Kyari and Mohammed Danjuma Goje.
In the North-West, the Kaduna Centre which covers Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa
and Katsina States has as its Chairman, Senator Kabiru Gaya; and the Sokoto
Centre covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, to be chaired by Senator
Muhammed Aliero.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is expected to chair the Owerri Centre which
covers Imo and Abia States, while the second centre in Enugu to cover Enugu,
Ebonyi and Anambra states under the South-East Geo-political zone would be
chaired by Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
In the South-South Zone, the Asaba Centre which caters for Delta, Edo
and Bayelsa states has as its Chairman, Senator James Manager; while the Port
Harcourt Centre covering Rivers, Cross River and Akwa-Ibom states would be
chaired by Senator Betty Apiafi.
Additionally, the South-West zone has the Lagos Centre (to cover Lagos,
Oyo and Ogun states); and the Akure Centre which caters for Ondo, Osun and
Ekiti states.
Both Centres are to be chaired by Senators Olufemi Tinubu and Ajayi
Boroffice, respectively.
Meanwhile,
the Senate has suspended plenary for one week as the lawmakers will not
meet in plenary throughout next week.
The
Senate President disclosed that the Senate will not meet in plenary
throughout next week.
Speaking
at Plenary, Lawan said that the week will be dedicated to the zonal public
hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.
He said,
“We shall be devoting the entire week to the constitution review
exercise."
No comments:
Post a Comment