February 28, 2018

Sokoto state House of Assembly on Wednesday, commenced public hearing on the amendment of Local Government Reform Bills and other alteration laws in the 1999 Constitution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the exercise began with the Sokoto South Senatorial district at Bodinga town, headquarter of Bodinga Local Government Area of the state, covering the seven local government areas in the zone.

The Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on the review of the Constitution of the Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar assured that public opinions would be reflected in the state’s submission to the National Assembly.

Magaji, (APC- Bodinga North) said: “We are conducting this exercise to make sure that all public opinions are fully reflected in the state House of Assembly’s submission to the National Assembly.

“As such, zonal public hearing is being organised by the state Assembly to ensure members of public participate fully in the opinion of the state.”

NAN also reports that the public hearing is conducted on the alteration of six bills for an act to alter the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

These include, “a Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, to strengthen local government administration in Nigeria.

“A Bill for An act to alter the provisions of the Constitution, to abrogate the state joint local government accounts.

It is also ‘’to empower each local government council to maintain its own special account and make provisions for savings in the Federation Account before distribution to other levels of government.

“A Bill for An act to, alter the provisions of the Constitution, to provide for independent candidature in election.

“A Bill for An act to alter the provisions of the constitution, to change the name Nigeria Police Force to ‘Nigeria Police’ to reflect their core mandate of providing civil services.

“A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the constitution, to provides for the time within which the President or Governor shall lay the Appropriation bill before the National Assembly or state House of Assembly to encourage early presentation and passage of appropriation bills.

“A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution, to among other things provide the procedure for passing a constitution alteration bill where the President withholds assent.”

The seven local governments: Bodinga, Dange-Shuni, Tureta, Yabo, Shagari, Tambuwal and Kebbe, submitted written memorandum each to the committee.