Tambuwal seeks inclusive, consultative constitution amendment

Abuja – The Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Rep.  Aminu Tambuwal, in Abuja on Tuesday  advocated an all inclusive and consultative process in the ongoing amendment of the1999 Constitution.

Tambuwal made the call while welcoming members of the assembly  from a two-month annual recess.

“One matter that is of interest to the Nigerian public and indeed the House of Representatives is the issue of Constitution Review.

“As elected representatives, we believe that an all inclusive and consultative process should be put in place to guide the process.

“To this end, we are proposing that every federal constituency in Nigeria should be involved and have a clear say on the content and aspects of the constitution to be amended,” he said.

The speaker said that the house would continue to seek ways that would make life more meaningful for Nigerians.

He said that in line with the Legislative Agenda of the house, the legislators would expeditiously attend to bills on constitution amendment and bills on the budget.

Tambuwal said other issues that needed urgent attention were Petroleum Industry Bill and Police and Security Agencies Act.

He urged all committees of the house to collate information on the level of funding and implementation of the 2012 budget by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Tambuwal explained that the insistence of the assembly on the implementation of the budget by the executive was not a witch-hunt.

“Budget implementation is the only way Nigerians can feel the direct impact of government on their daily lives,’’ he said.

The speaker said a day would be set aside to deliberate in plenary session, the level of budget implementation as collated by various committees.

“After the deliberation, the house will suspend plenary for one week but the various committees will be required to go on physical inspection of projects,’’ he said.

The speaker explained that the step was to authenticate information provided by various MDAs on the level of the budget implementation.

“The report of the various committees of the house after the oversight visits will form the basis for further action by the house, ” he said. (NAN)