As the National Assembly
joint committee on the review of the 1999 constitution continues the amending
process, the need for autonomy for state legislature has been stressed.
The call was made
recently when the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Advisory Committee on
Inter-Parliamentary Matters paid a working visit to its Benue State counterpart
where members of the two parliaments unanimously agreed that the time was ripe
for state legislature to be granted autonomy by the Nigerian Constitution.
Giving reasons why the
state legislature should be granted autonomy, the majority leader of the Benue
State House of Assembly Mr. Paul Biam said financial autonomy for state
legislatures will grant them more opportunities to perform their functions as
legislators and as representatives of the people.
Citing instances where
the activities of the House have been crippled, the majority leader lamented
that members of Benue State House of Assembly are yet to attend Commonwealth
Parliament which is usually hosted outside the country noting that, the
exposure and experience garnered from such legislative engagement have
continued to elude them.
“The present crop of
state legislators should continue to pursue financial autonomy for state
legislature even if it be the only thing we can achieve in the ongoing
constitution review we would have achieved so much for future state
lawmakers.”
On his part, the
Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly who is also the chairman of the
committee Mr Samuel Ikon observed that the issue of autonomy is very dear to
the heart of state legislators and a concern of all especially members of the speaker’s
forum.
According to him “Even
if the autonomy will be for just six months to the end of our tenure, we will
appreciate it so much. We are not relenting in our effort to get it through now
that the amendment of the 1999 constitution is ongoing” he noted.
Earlier, the Speaker of
the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon (Barr) Emmanuel Terhile Ayua in his
welcome remarks had expressed joy over the choice of Benue State by the Akwa
Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Matters noting that
such visit will deepen the relationship between the two state legislators and
give them the opportunity to compare notes and share experiences in the
legislative business.
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