From Linus Oota, Lafia
Nasarawa State House of Assembly has approved the amendment of some laws in the 1999 constitution which include financial autonomy to States Houses of Assembly, among others.
The approval followed series of deliberations by the lawmakers following the adoption of the National Assembly’s bill on the amendment.
Speaker Abdullahi Baralabe said at the plenary yesterday in Lafia that the House had approved 13 out of the 15 alterations as requested by the National Assembly.
Baralabe said the alteration included financial autonomy for states House of Assembly, the removal of force from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the provisions of Independent candidate during the general elections in the country as well as the political age limit for president to be reduced from 40 to 35 years, among others
The speaker further explained that two of the items that were not approved during the day’s sitting would be subject to public hearing in order to receive inputs from stakeholders.
He mentioned local government autonomy and the strengthening of the local administration as the two items that would be subjected to public hearing and called for support in that direction.
According to him the 1999 constitution, if amended, would go a long way in promoting good governance as well as give Nigerians sense of belonging for the socio-economic development of the country.
‘’We want to assure Nigerians of our support towards the constitutional amendment for good governance and speedy development in the country,” he said
He directed the clerk of the House to produce a clean copy of the adopted bill and submit to the clerk of the National Assembly on Tuesday next week.