The House of Representatives has announced plans to convene a National Dialogue on Local Government Autonomy next as part of efforts to strengthen local government independence in Nigeria.
Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House, who also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, announced this during a meeting of the committee at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Mr Kalu stated that the dialogue aims to gather ideas and strategies to develop a sustainable framework for local government administration.
“The upcoming National Dialogue on Local Government and Constitution Amendment is a vital platform to consolidate ideas and strategies for achieving a robust local government framework, which is critical to our constitutional review efforts,” he said.
Mr Kalu also highlighted other upcoming engagements related to the constitution amendment, including public consultations on tax reforms and discussions with political parties.
As part of the broader constitutional review efforts, the Deputy Speaker announced that zonal public hearings would commence in January next year.
The hearings will be held across 12 states, representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones:
North-East: Gombe and Borno States
North-Central: Nasarawa and Niger States
North-West: Kaduna and Sokoto States
South-East: Enugu and Imo States
South-South: Bayelsa and Cross River States
South-West: Lagos and Ondo States
Mr Kalu emphasized the importance of inclusivity and urged committee members to engage with their state caucuses, governors, and state house of assembly members to ensure the success of the exercise.
The National Dialogue and the zonal hearings are part of ongoing efforts to amend the constitution and address critical issues pertaining to governance, including the autonomy of local governments, which many believe is essential for grassroots development and effective service delivery.