LGA Autonomy, Devolution of Powers Remain Top Priorities in Ongoing Constitution Review -Benjamin  Kalu

The House of Representatives has reiterated its commitment to granting more autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.

 

The Deputy Speaker of the House and chairman of the Committee on Constitution Review, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu made the disclosure during a courtesy call on him by the Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU) Worldwide led by its President-General, Hon. Yuccee Otah Uwah in Abuja.

 

Located in Ohafia local government area of Abia State, Abiriba Ancient Kingdom, popularly known as ‘The Small London’ is reputed with remarkable feats in business, industry, public service, private sector, academic, science and technology, among others, playing significant roles in the development of the country.

 

Kalu said that the Constitution Review process is focused on devolving powers to local governments, enabling them to control their development agendas, noting that the essential aim is to promote grassroots development, accountability, and effective service delivery.

 

The Deputy Speaker emphasized that communities must organize and prioritize their needs to enable governments to respond accordingly.

 

He said “As we gather here today, let us be reminded: The destiny of a nation is shaped not only by its leaders, but also by the unity of its communities.

 

“The House of Representatives, under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. 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 prioritize”.

 

Regarding the proposal made by the delegation for a new local government area to be carved out of Ohafia, the Deputy Speaker urged the Abiriba community to follow the established constitutional process, emphasizing that adherence to due process would ensure fair consideration of their request.

 

“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”, he said.

 

Earlier in his presentation, the President-General, Hon. Uwah solicited Kalu’s support to enable the community to get Abiriba local government area amongst other needs.

 

“Abiriba people desire for the creation of Abiriba Local Government Area to be carved out of the Ohafia Local Government Area. Our people, including traditional institutions, political and entire communities, endorsed and supported the proposal for Abiriba Local Government council of Abia state. We have common ancestry, history, and cultural affinity fostering peaceful co-existence and progress of the proposed Abiriba local government council. We firmly believe that this request would receive fair consideration by the National Assembly, Abia State House of Assembly, and the President during the ongoing Amendments of 1999 Constitution of Federal of Nigeria.

 

“Therefore, we submitted to the House of Representatives through the office of Deputy Speaker and Co-chairman, National Assembly Committee on 1999 Constitutional Amendments our Memorandum requesting for creation of Abiriba Local Government Area out of the present Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.

 

“Your Excellency’s significant contribution to the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), mentioned earlier, is noteworthy. It is our hope that the SEDC will address the infrastructure deficit in the region and Abiriba. Hence, we appeal for the support of SEDC towards the provision of infrastructure including roads, schools, hospitals and setting-up of agricultural processing facilities in Abiriba to improve the economic well-being of our people. Also, we look forward to young men and women from Abiriba to be employed by the SEDC in pursuit of equity and inclusion of people from the catchment area.

 

“We are requesting the intervention of the National Assembly to resolve an over-10-years old dispute, resulting in disconnection of Abiriba and environs from the National Grid by Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). For over 10 years, EEDC had cut-off electricity supply to Abiriba, Ohafia and Nkporo communities of Ohafia local government area. Our communities are disconnected from access to electricity power supply, leaving them to source for power from generating sets. The impact on the environment, attendant financial cost and psychological trauma on our people remains unimaginable”, Uwah said.