The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has said local government autonomy and devolution of powers to the sub-national are the dominant issues in the ongoing constitution amendment process.
He disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while playing host to a delegation of the Abiriba Communal Improvement Union Worldwide led by its President-General, Yuccee Uwah.
Kalu, who doubles as the Chairman, House Committee on Constitution Review, noted that the constitution review process focused on devolving powers to local governments to enable them take charge of development initiatives at the grassroots level.
This is just as he called on rural communities to identify their needs to enable the Federal Government to respond timely.
He said, ‘The House of Representatives, under the leadership of the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas and myself as Deputy Speaker, is committed to inclusive governance, rural development, and strategic community empowerment.
‘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. We are pushing for policy reforms that ensure equitable access to federal infrastructure in underrepresented zones’.
On the proposal made by the delegation for a new local government area to be carved out of Ohafia, Abia State, Kalu urged the Abiriba community to follow the established constitutional process, emphasising that adherence to due process would ensure fair consideration of their request.
Earlier in his presentation, Uwah solicited Kalu’s support to enable the community to get the Abiriba local government area, amongst other needs.
‘Abiriba people desire the creation of Abiriba Local Government Area to be carved out of the Ohafia Local Government Area.
‘Our people, including traditional institutions, political and entire communities, endorsed and supported the proposal for the Abiriba Local Government Council of Abia State’, he said.
