By ERICJAMES OCHIGBO

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, has called for proposals from the general public for further alteration of the 1999 Constitution.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Benjamin Kalu made the call on Thursday at a news conference in Abuja.

Kalu, who is the Chairman of the committee, said the call was in exercise of the powers conferred on the Legislature by Sections 4, 8, and 9 of the Constitution.

He said that Order 20, Rule 30 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives (11th Edition) and the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House also empowered the committee.

Kalu said that memoranda on any matter that would promote good governance and the welfare of all persons in the country on the principles of freedom, equality, and justice were welcomed.

The deputy speaker said that the thematic areas included federal structure, power devolution, local government autonomy, public revenue, fiscal federation, and revenue allocation.

Others areas include Nigeria police, security architecture, judicial reforms, electoral reforms to deliver transparent, credible, free and fair elections, socio-economic and cultural rights, residency and indigene provisions, traditional institutions, issues of gender among others.

He said that five hard copies of all proposals should be submitted to the secretariat of the committee in Room H331, House of Representatives White House, National Assembly Complex in Abuja, not later than April 10, 2024.

He said that soft copies should also be sent electronically to the committee’s email address –info@hccr.gov.ng

“I am pleased to invite the executive and judiciary, state governments, women groups, academics, civil society organisations, labour unions, professional bodies, ethnic nationalities to submit memoranda.

“I invite Nigerians in the diaspora, diplomats and the general public, to submit memoranda or proposals for further alteration(s) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” he said.

The deputy speaker said the committee has a target of concluding the entire process before December 2025. (NAN)