New constitution with state police, others coming in 24 months – Deputy Speaker

New constitution with state police, others coming in 24 months – Deputy Speaker

A new constitution of Nigeria with provisions for state police among others will be ready for presidential assent in the next 24 months.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, said this on Monday.

He disclosed this at the formal inauguration of the House Committee on the review of the 1999 constitution. According to Kalu, the plan to get a new Constitution available is to give the President time to study the amendments before signing them into law.

He said the House had so far received bill proposals for the establishment of state police; state access to mines; increased participation of women in politics; clear specification of the taxes/levies to be collected by each tier of government and the provision for the office of the Mayor of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

He said several bill proposals that were passed but did not make the President’s assent during the fifth constitution alterations had been brought back to the current amendment.

He listed as powers of the National Assembly and State Assemblies to summon the President and State governors, and requirements of the government to direct policies towards ensuring the rights to food and food security.

Kalu added the House was willing to accommodate more proposals to enhance the Constitution and strengthen the nation’s democracy.

He said the House was also awaiting executive-sponsored bill proposals on the renewed hope agenda of the President.