The constitution review process is focused on enabling local governments to take charge of their development priorities, especially in underserved areas.”?
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman, Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has reiterated the commitment of the House to granting full autonomy to local governments and advancing devolution of powers as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
Kalu stated this during a courtesy visit by the Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU) Worldwide, led by its President-General, Hon. Yuccee Otah Uwah, in Abuja on Thursday.
“The House of Representatives, under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and myself as Deputy Speaker, is committed to inclusive governance, rural development, and strategic community empowerment,” Kalu said.
He noted that the constitution review process is focused on enabling local governments to take charge of their development priorities, especially in underserved areas.
“To this end, the Constitution Review process is focusing on increased devolution of powers and improved local government autonomy. This will empower communities like Abiriba to have more direct control over their development agenda,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker emphasised the importance of organised community engagement, stating: “When communities organise, governments must prioritise.”
He also called on communities seeking new local government areas to adhere strictly to constitutional procedures. Responding to ACIU’s request for the creation of an Abiriba Local Government Area out of Ohafia LGA, Kalu said the committee would only consider requests submitted within the stipulated timeline.
“There is a process. If you have submitted your documents within the timeline that we gave, it would be considered. If you didn’t, it may not be considered,” he said. “So, I will ask the Clerk if it was submitted within that period, so we’ll know how to look at the local government creation.”
Earlier, Hon. Uwah urged the Deputy Speaker to support the community’s bid for local government status and address key developmental issues affecting the area.
“Our people, including traditional institutions and the political class, have endorsed and supported the proposal for the Abiriba Local Government Council. We firmly believe this request would receive fair consideration during the ongoing amendments to the 1999 Constitution,” Uwah said.
He also appealed for the intervention of the National Assembly to resolve a decade-long electricity disconnection in Abiriba and neighbouring communities.
“For over 10 years, EEDC had cut off electricity supply to Abiriba, Ohafia, and Nkporo communities of Ohafia LGA. Our communities are disconnected from access to power supply, leaving them to rely on generators. The impact on the environment, finances, and psychological well-being of our people is unimaginable,” he said.
Uwah further requested support from the South East Development Commission (SEDC) for infrastructure development in Abiriba, citing the Deputy Speaker’s pivotal role in the establishment of the Commission.
Kalu assured the delegation that the House would continue to champion policies promoting equitable access to federal infrastructure and opportunities for underrepresented communities.
“The destiny of a nation is shaped not only by its leaders, but also by the unity of its communities,” he said.