Calabar: Mr Kingsley Chinda, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, says it aims to ensure that Nigerians own their Constitution by making input on its amendment.
Chinda remarked at the South-South Centre B Zonal Public Hearing on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution in Calabar today, Saturday, July 19.
The South-South Zonal Centre B comprises the states of Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom.
The chairman, who also serves as the minority leader of the House of Representatives, explained that the purpose of the engagement was for the Representatives to speak with the people about their concerns regarding the 1999 constitution.
“We speak for the people, but this period, we are speaking with the people who elected us. We want to make our Constitution one that the people own. And so we have gone to all the zones, having two centres in each zone, to talk to the people on areas they think are necessary for amendment in the Constitution.
“In this Centre, we have discussed with the people of Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, and we have gotten their input. We will take it back to the parliament for further deliberations,” he noted.
He said that they expected the input of the people to be reflected in the amendment that would emerge from the Constitution.
He stated that the constitutional amendment would take place twice during the tenure of the 10th Assembly and assured that, between July 19 and the end of 2025, the document would be finalised and submitted to the state assemblies.
Chinda said that they would expect the assemblies, after their deliberations, to send it back to them to kickstart the second phase of the amendment by the 10th Assembly, which would round up.
On his part, Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River commended the committee, noting that although it had a difficult task, its work would be historic upon completion.
Otu, represented by his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, said that legislators aim to aggregate and give legislative expression to the desires and views of Nigerians in a way that deepens Nigerian democracy, which he described as timely.
“The decision to visit and revise the Constitution underscores the fundamental truth; like every living document, the Constitution must evolve with time because political, economic and social realities are not static.
“Some provisions from the 1999 Constitution have become less responsive to the current challenges and must be carefully reviewed in the light of our collective progress.
“As you carry out this national assignment, I urge you to place the interest of the people at the centre of your work; let this hearing be a true platform for civic expression that upholds democratic principles.”
Otu, however, called for the inclusion of women and Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) in government while advocating for state police to ensure better security for the nation.
Others included the creation of Obolo State from Akwa Ibom and the creation of two additional states, Bori and Atlantic City, from Rivers.