The House of Representatives will convene a national dialogue on local government autonomy on Monday, December 2, 2024, in Abuja.
The event, organized by the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, aims to provide a platform for robust discourse on strengthening local government administration in Nigeria.
Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, announced the dialogue during a committee meeting at the National Assembly complex on Thursday. Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Kalu stated that the dialogue would consolidate strategies for achieving a more independent and effective local government system.
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“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 emphasized the need for unity, inclusivity, and commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and federal structure.
In addition to the national dialogue, Kalu revealed that the committee will commence zonal public hearings in January 2025. These hearings, aimed at gathering input from citizens across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, will be held in 12 states:
- 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
Kalu urged committee members to collaborate with state caucuses, governors, and House of Assembly members to ensure the success of these engagements. He emphasized the importance of inclusivity, encouraging participation from diverse stakeholders across political, religious, and ethnic lines.
“The stakeholder engagement list must cut across all relevant groups in your states,” Kalu said. “Everyone who is a Nigerian should be in that room to express their views on the 161 areas currently under review in the constitution.”
The committee’s broader agenda includes public engagements on tax reforms and dialogues with political parties, all aimed at fostering national unity and prosperity.
The national dialogue and public hearings mark a significant step in the ongoing efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution and strengthen Nigeria’s governance framework.
