Members of the Conference of Speakers of Legislative Assemblies of Nigeria during their meeting in Bauchi
By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Worried by the spate of insecurity across the country which has made Nigerians to now live in palpable fear of attack, the Federal Government has been called upon to stand up to its primary responsibility of protection of lives and properties.
The call was made by the Conference of Speakers of Legislative Assemblies of Nigeria which declared that the solution to the problem is allowing state governments to fully implement community policing and as a last resort, formation of State Police.
The Speakers Conference at the end of its quarterly meeting held in Bauchi on Saturday declared there is insecurity all over the country to the extent that no one seems safe now the way things are.
In a communique issued and read by the Conference Chairman, Abubakar Y Suleiman, the Speakers demanded that something must be done urgently in order to redeem the situation and make Nigerians feel safe and secured.
On construction amendment, the Conference announced that it has set up a committee to review the country’s Constitution with the view of contributing to the ongoing constitutional amendment debate.
The Conference according to the communique the terms of reference of the Committee include articulating and submission of the inputs of the Conference of Speakers on the review of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It was also resolved by the Conference that all the State Houses of Assembly should ensure to pass the funds management bill in their respective States for effective implementation of the financial autonomy for the states and judiciary.
It then appealed to PASAN to exercise restraint on its struggle which has led to protest in recent times across the country thereby disrupting legislative process in the States Houses of Assembly.
The Speakers Conference assured that a Committee has been constituted to engage the Association with a view to resolving the lingering issues that led to the industrial action.
The Conference then commended the cordial relationship between the Bauchi State House of Assembly led by the APC and the Executive arm led by the PDP stressing that it is the height of political harmony for development of the people.
