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Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Y Suleiman presenting the Assembly memo to the Zonal Committee led by Sen Abubakar Kyari
By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Bauchi House of Assembly has expressed its strong support for the creation of Katagum State out of Bauchi State for development and growth of the area.
The support for the agitation for the creation of Katagum state was made on Wednesday during presentations in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly assuring that the entire State is United for the creation of the new State.
Speaker of the Assembly, Abubakar Y Suleiman made the expression while presenting the position of the legislative arm on the proposed alteration of the Constitution, during the North-East Zonal Public Hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution at Command Guest Inn, Bauchi.
Abubakar Suleiman explained that there is growing demands for the creation of states and local governments in the Country, and the Assembly recommends that six states should be created, one for each geopolitical zone and number of local governments should be created in order to promote socioeconomic advancement of Nigeria.
On local governments autonomy, the Speaker said that the state lawmakers noted how the ambiguities of sections 7 and 162 of the Constitution rendered the Nigeria’s local government system an unfortunate orphan.
He said that, “We therefore recommend that the Constitution should be amended to create a chapter which guarantees the identity and autonomy of local government as third tier of government.
The Speaker added that, “Traditional institutions, who contributes immensely in peace, progress and development of our country, should also be integrated into the constitutional framework with legislative mandate, competences and powers similar to those enjoyed in the first republic.”
The Assembly also recommended for electoral reforms that will make INEC deliver transparent, credible, free and fair elections and the electoral umpire be given the role of conducting Local Government Elections and inclusion of independent candidature.
Other areas the Assembly made recommendations include the retainment of immunity in prima facie cases, federal structure in governance and power devolution, judicial reform, public revenue, fiscal federalism and revenue allocation, legislature and legislative bureaucracy, gender equity among others.
The Speaker commended the Senate Committee for their efforts and commitment and wished that it will look at the position of the State Assembly and make appropriate recommendations to the Senate for their inclusion in the constitutional amendment.
