Agitation for additional local government areas has intensified with the House of Representatives on Thursday passing several constitutional amendment bills to create local government areas in parts of the country scaling second reading.

One of such is the bill seeking the creation of Bende North local government area of Abua state from the existing one sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

Others include the creation of Ughievwen local government in Delta State, Ideato West in Imo state, Zurmi from Zamfara State and an unspecified number of local government areas from Enugu state.

On Wednesday, the House passed for second reading a bill seeking to recognise the 37 Development Area Councils of Lagos State as legitimate local government as well as the creation of new local government areas in some states and the renaming of others.

Other bills passed for second reading include the bill to set timeline within which civil and criminal cases are heard, involve the National Assembly in the process of treaties negotiation, provide for the listing of the National Assembly Service Commission and State House of Assembly Service Commission as Independent Bodies.

The lawmakers also passed for second reading bills seeking establishment of the University of Nigerian Languages, Aba, Abia State and provide for the conduct of population census every ten years.

The proposed legislations sponsored by Kalu and some other lawmakers were presented for second reading by the House leader Hon. Julius Ihonvbere.

They are: ?Bill for An Act to Repeal the National Institute for Nigerian Languages Act, Cap. N50, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Provisions for the Establishment of the University of Nigerian Languages, Aba, Abia State to Make Comprehensive Provisions of its Due Management and Administration.

Others are a Bill that provide for the Involvement of the National Assembly in the Process of Negotiation for and Entering into Treaties with Other Countries, Bill to Provide for the listing of the National Assembly Service Commission and State House of Assembly Service Commission as Independent Bodies Under Sections 158 and 197 Respectively; to Enhance the Independence of the National Assembly Service Commission and State House of Assembly Service Commission, to Clearly Designate the Clerk of the National Assembly and Clerks of State Houses of Assembly as Heads of Legislative Service at the National and Sub-national Levels.

For the University of Nigerian Languages Aba, Abia State, the bill seeks to provide for the upgrade of the institute to a university to allow it run degree programmes.

It also seeks to promote the study and use of Nigerian languages, ensure that the legal framework of the institute conforms to the regulations of the National Universities Commission, and to establish a university that will promote the study and use of Nigerian languages.

For the civil and criminal cases Bill, it seeks to provide for the alteration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Altered) to set time within which the matters are heard and determined at trial and appellate courts in order to eliminate unnecessary delays in justice administration and delivery.

The bill states:?In any civil or criminal matter except in election petition, a trial superior court of record shall deliver its judgement in writing within 270 days from the date of the filing of civil or criminal matter.

?In any civil or criminal matter except in election petition, a trial inferior court of record or tribunal shall deliver its judgement in writing within 210 days from the date of the filing of the civil or criminal matter.

?Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section ? (a) a trial superior court of record may deliver its judgement in writing within 330 or more days having regard to the circumstances of the matter and in particular to the complexity of the matter, number of parties, number of witnesses, number of documents or other exceptional circumstances; and a trial inferior court of record may deliver its judgement in writing within 270 or more days having regard to the circumstances of the matter and in particular to the complexity of the matter, number of parties, number of witnesses, number of documents or other exceptional circumstances.

?Appeal arising from a civil or criminal matter except in election petition shall be heard and judgement delivered in writing by an appellate court within 180 days from the date of filing of the appeal, or such number of days not exceeding 270 days, having regard to the circumstances of the appeal and in particular to the complexity of the appeal, calling of fresh evidence or other exceptional circumstances.?

The treaties bill seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Altered) to provide for the involvement of the National Assembly in the process of negotiation for and entering into treaties with other countries.

The bill specifically seeks to amend the constitution by inserting new subsections in the Principal Act to allow the National Assembly make laws for the making of treaties between the Federation and any other country on any matter on the Exclusive Legislative List.

According to the draft, the President shall involve the National Assembly in the process of negotiation for and entering into all treaties on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with any other country.

For the Bende bill, it seeks to alter the Constitution to provide for the creation of Bende North Local Government Area out the present Bende Local Government Area of Abia State and to rename the present Bende Local Government Area as Bende South Local Government Area of Abia State.

According to the explanatory memorandum, the First Schedule to the Principal Act is altered in the second column of the first row showing Local Government Areas in Abia State by deleting the word ?Bende? and inserting the words ?Bende North, Bende South?.

On the bill for listing of the National Assembly Service Commission and the State House of Assembly Service Commission as an Independent Bodies, it seeks to alter the Constitution to enhance their independence, and to clearly designate the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Clerks of the State Houses of Assembly as the Heads of Legislative Service at the national and subnational levels respectively. (The Nation)

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