The House of Representatives Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu has assured that the new constitution being worked on would grant more autonomy to Local Government Councils in the country.
Kalu pointed out that the Constitution Review process is focusing attention on devolving powers to local governments. This is to enable them to control their development agendas.
The lawmaker added that the essential aim of the devolution is to promote grassroots development, accountability, and effective service delivery.
Kalu made this disclosure while addressing delegates of the Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU) Worldwide led by its President-General, Yuccee Otah Uwah visited him in Abuja
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.
“I have personally advocated for grassroots development in the national budget for local projects in roads, schools, healthcare, and youth empowerment. Community-led skills training initiatives such as those led by ACIU are vital in filling this gap. That is why when communities organize, governments must prioritise”.
On the demand for the creation of a new Local Government Area out of Ohafia, the Deputy Speaker expressed readiness to assist. He, however, urged the Abiriba community to follow the established constitutional process. Just as he emphasized adherence to due process. He assured that he would ensure fair consideration of their request.
He said, “The issue of Local Government creation, some of them here are members of the Constitution Review Committee, which I’m charing.
“There is a process. If you have submitted your documents within the timeline that we gave, it would be considered. If you didn’t, it may not be considered. So, I will ask the Clerk if it was submitted within that period. So, we’ll know how to look at the Local Government creation.”
In his speech, the President-General of ACIU, Uwah solicited Kalu’s praised the lawmaker for his representation. He, however, sought his support to enable the community to get Abiriba Local Government Area. This was amongst other needs of the community.