The Deputy president of the Senate and chairman of the National Assembly committee on the review of the 1999 constitution as amended , Senator Jubrin Barau has assured that the panel’s mandate is not to rewrite the existing constitution but to rather process proposed amendments.
Barau ,the committee chairman equally said the panel will engage critical stakeholders in strong consultations with the view of ensuring that bills passed by the National Assembly will be approved by the state Houses of Assembly and consequently assented to by the President.
Senator Barau also maintained that the committee will work in synergy with the House of Representatives and deploy strategic methods in conduct of its affairs to achieve maximum result .
Speaking at the inauguration of the committee , Senator Barau said the Secretariat of the committee will submit a work plan and a process map with time lines to the steering committee which will be presented for consideration and approval by Members in the next meeting .
“It is my pleasure to welcome you to this inaugural meeting.
“Accept my congratulations on your nomination to this Committee. Your nomination is a product of your rank as legislators generally and as ranking Senators in your various States and Geo-political zones including special interest groups. I hope that your wealth of experience and knowledge of our nation will be brought to bear in the work of the Committee.
“I wish to quickly remind you that we will work in synergy with our counterparts in the House of Representatives, and we will be very strategic in the conduct of our affairs. We will be guided by the laws and rules of legislative business, including precedence where it does not conflict with any known rule, while also being innovative where we can.
“The Committee will strongly consult and engage critical stakeholders in a way that will ensure that bills passed by the National Assembly will be approved by the State Houses of Assembly and assented to by Mr. President.
“The secretariat will submit a work plan and a process map with time-lines to the Steering Committee which will be presented for consideration and approval by members in the next meeting.
“It is important to note that the Committee is not constituted to rewrite the 1999 Constitution but to process proposed amendments to it, and we will strive to conclude this assignment within the next 24 months.
“I, enjoin us to be committed to the activities of the Committee because the task ahead is huge as some of the issues already canvassed by some critical stakeholders are quite delicate.