FG SETS C'TTEE ON PAST CONSTITUTIONAL CONFABS

By NBF News

By OKEY NDIRIBE
ABUJA-The Federal Government has set up a committee to review outstanding issues from past constitutional conferences with former Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Alfa Belgore as Chairman.

This was contained in a statement issued, weekend, by the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

The terms of reference of the committee are to: review reports and implementation guidelines of the 1994/1995 National Constitutional Conference and the 2006 Political Reforms Conference; identify the constitutional, political, economic, social and other governance issues agreed upon at these conferences but which have not been implemented.

Others are to deliberate on the currency and relevance of these issues; draft bills for the consideration of the National Assembly in respect of these issues; prepare policy papers and memoranda for the consideration of the government as may be applicable; ensure that these issues receive full attention as agreed upon and intended by the originating conferences; identify, discuss and seek agreement on issues of national importance upon which these conferences did not achieve a consensus.

The committee is also to discuss and conduct suitable consultations, on political and other problems that may be referred to from time to time by the government.

The Committee would be inaugurated on November 1, 2011.

Other members of the Committee include Justice Udo Udoma who would serve as Deputy Chairman, while Professor Jerry Gana and GOS Miri as representatives of the North-Central region of the country.

The North-East region of the country would represented by Ambassadors Babagana Kingibe and Jibrin Chinade; the North-west would be represented by Dr. Abubakar Sadiq and Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha; South-East, Prof. Anya O. Anya; South-South, Mrs Tessy ikimi and Ledum Mitee; South-West, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi and Chief Ebenezer Babatope.

Other members of the Committee are Peter Esele, Alhaja Salmot Badru, Hajia Najatu Mohammed; Comfort Obi, Alhaji Wakil Mohammed and Barrister Halima Alfa. The Secretary of the Committee would be Mr Ferdinand Agu of the Office of SGF.