Senate vows to stop allocation to LGs without democratically elected council

The Senate Adhoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has recommended the non payment of Federal Allocation to any local government without democratically elected Council.

This is even as Chairman of Constitution review Committee, Ike Ekweremadu, disclosed at plenary that report of Commi‎ttee is ready for consideration.

Ekweremadu, however, sought‎ the indulgence of the Senate for more time to harmonize with the House of Representatives and present a unified report for ease of consideration.

Part of the recommendation reads: “A uniform three-year tenure for elected local government council officials.

“That Local Governments without a democratically elected council shall not be entitled to any revenue from the Federation Account.

“These amendments amongst others we believe will ensure effective service delivery and insulate local governments from undue and counter-productive interferences from state governments.”

Also, the Committee amended Section 121 of the Constitution to guarantee a first line charge funding of State Houses of Assembly from the consolidated revenue fund of the State.

The Committee also ‎Made it mandatory for the President to attend a Joint Meeting of the National Assembly once a year to deliver a State of the Nation Address.

The committee also changed the names of some local governments.

These include ‎Afikpo North and Afikpo South to Afikpo and Edda respectively.

Also affected are Egbado North and Egbado South to Yewa North and Yewa South.