Agitation by delegates to the on-going National Conference in Abuja for the extension of the three-month period allotted to the conference has yielded fruit as the Federal Government has approved a six more weeks for the talk shop.

The conference started March 17 and was programmed to end on June 19 but a new work plan for the conference released to delegates yesterday indicated that it will now end on July 31.

The sitting of the 20 standing committees of the conference have consequently been extended by two weeks, according to conference spokesman, James Akpandem.

Under the new work plan, the draft report of the conference will now be considered from July 21 to 24 while July 28 to 31 will be for production and signing of the final report.

Akpandem said in a statement issued last night: “The Conference Secretariat has granted the request of the leadership of Standing Committees who requested for extension of time to enable them meaningfully conclude their work and submit thorough reports. They observed that the time given for Committee work was grossly inadequate considering the workload, a situation which was further compounded by public holidays that ate into the time for committee work.

“It was also noted that since some delegates are going to be involved in the Economic Summit which begins on Monday in Abuja, and others will be dislodged from their accommodation at the Hilton, it was necessary to extend the period for committee work to accommodate the exigencies and also allow for thorough work to be done.

“Consequently, the Committees have been given up to Thursday May 15, 2014 to conclude work and submit their reports as deliberations at plenary is expected to resume on Monday, May 19, 2014.”

•Photo shows a cross section of National Conference delegates.