NASS Begins Final Discussions On 1999 Constitution Amendment
By Oladipupo Mojeed
Federal and State lawmakers have commenced final discussion on how the 1999 constitution will be amended.
The Joint Committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate as well as State Houses of Assembly are in Lagos State to wrap up work on the amendment of the 1999 constitution.
Governor of Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode, who declared the forum open said there is need to fix the 1999 constitution before the 2019 election.
He also asked the lawmakers to look into the interest of the states and the federating units.
“We urge the committee to address the provisions in our constitution which have become stumbling blocks in the spirit of true federalism and our efforts to fully realise our potentials in all sectors of the nation,” he tweeted.
We urge the committee to address the provisions in our constitution which have become stumbling blocks in the spirit of true federalism… pic.twitter.com/TEcZ3IFo75
— Akinwunmi Ambode (@AkinwunmiAmbode) July 14, 2017
What to be looked at
Governor Ambode further recommended that provisions concerning the Executive List, Land Use, Revenue Allocation, State Policing and a Special Status for Lagos State be reviewed considering the special position the state occupies as the socio-economic and commercial nerve centre of the nation and its rapid population growth profile.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, in his remark said that the 8th National Assembly will ensure the new constitution is fast-tracked through isolation of the amended bills to allow speedy passage and assent by the President.
The federal lawmakers will spend the next few days deliberating on the various areas to focus on.
