The recently conducted constitutional amendment public hearing across the country has ended, with major political stakeholders absenting from the event in Degema/Bonny federal constituency of Rivers State.
Our correspondent who covered the event, reported that notable political heavy weights from the area, such as the former Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker and member representing Degema constituency at the State Assembly, Hon. Tonye Harry, Hon. Aye Pepple, member representing Bonny Constituency, as well as the chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Mr. Edward Pepple were conspicuously absent at the event. A reliable source who spoke to our correspondent under anonymity attributed the absence of the political leaders to disharmony amongst them. According to him, the Abuja politicians from the constituency do not agree with those based on Rivers State, hence the misunderstanding. In a chat with the House of Representatives member, representing Degema/Bonny constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Sokonte Davies he said he was impressed with the turn-out, considering their difficult terrain. According to him, the quality of the people in attendance matters more than the number.
He however could not explain the reason why other major stakeholders from the constituency were absent. “They are in better position to explain why they are not here”, he said. He claimed Bonny Council chairman mobilized people for the event and dismissed claims that the exercise was another jamboree that will achieve no results at the end.
According to him, the aim of the exercise is to get contributions of the constituents, expressing confidence that the public hearing will achieve its objective.
Commenting on demand for resource control, Hon. Davies said no state is asking for 100% resource ownership “What people are asking for is greater participation in the distribution of their resources, he explained.
Adding his voice to the matter, the chairman of Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Degema, Comrade John Pepple said the crux of the matter is call for the autonomy of the local government councils. He ruled out the possibility of the governors’ forum frustrating the move, since according to him it is a constitutional matter.
In Khana/Gokana Constituency in the Federal House of Representative Hon. Maurice Pronen said the review of the 1999 constitution on 10th of November, 2012 came at a date and time when the Ogoni lost their lives in fighting for justice in Nigeria.
Hon. Pronen stated this in an address presented to the people of Khana/Gokana federal constituency at the convocation arena of the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori in Khana local government area of Rivers State.
Hon. Pronen who was a one time Vice Chairman, Gokana Local Government Area and also a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart said the amendment of the constitution is to prove that sovereignty belongs to the People.
The Ogoni born politician remarked that the opportunity given to Nigerians will shape the vision of governance as a panacea to attaining a just, egalitarian, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, noting that this exercise will make the constitution a people-oriented one.
Earlier the Senator representing South East Senatorial District, Hon. Magnus Abe in an address presented at the event told participants that the constitutional reform is the most comprehensive effort by any legislature to amend our constitution to reflect the true values and the desires of the aspiration of the people.
Hon. Abe stated that the National Assembly has no fixed position on any issue, promising that the issues expressed by the people will be collated and analyzed as the aggregate views from the Senatorial District.
Represented at the event by the member representing Khana 2 Constituency at the Rivers State House of Assembly Hon. Legborsi Nwidadah, Senator Abe said the Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has agreed to host “The State Peoples session on constitutional.
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, representing Khana Constituency II, Hon. Kwanee Leyii, who co-chaired the occasion posited that the Ogoni people should use this great opportunity to make changes in the constitution that affect them. The lawmaker said true federalism and creation of states will bring developing to the area and the constitutional review is divine and historic to liberate Ogoni land.
One of the chairmen of the event, Barr. Ken Sara-Wiyor noted that the creation of Bayelsa State brought out Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, hence, the state creation will help to develop the devastated Ogoni land and beyond.
The Human Rights lawyer stated that if the state is created it will reduce crime and Ogoni state will be viable with oil, gas and other natural resources.
In an interview with journalists shortly after the review, the chairman of the Steering Committee of the Khana/Gokana Constitutional Review, Comrade James Kobah observed that the Ogoni struggle that claimed the lives of so many Ogoni sons can be solved by a constitutional amendment, especially if the government honours the people’s view.
Comrade Kobah said this singular act is an effort toward making things right and the effort of our leaders will not be in vain.
At the end of the day, the constituency decided that creation of Bori State, true federalism where the federal government will not control all they can not bear, autonomy of the local government, resource control, are paramount in the amendment.
In Obio/Akpor Constituency and in compliance to the call by Nigerians for the amendment or review of the 1999 constitution, the people of Obio/Akpor, an Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality of Rivers State, gathered at Obio/Akpor Council Secretariat, Rumuodomaya and made their inputs on the 10th of November, 2012.
The event was chaired by Chief O. C. J. Okocha (SAN) and had in attendance, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency, at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Timothy Nsirim JP, the Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, amongst others.
Over 48 questions were asked from the constitution and responses were made respectively by all and sundry at the event. Addressing newsmen at the end, Hon. Chinda said the gathering was meant for people to contribute to the amendment of some sections of the constitution, adding that it was not for the drafting of a new one, since Nigeria is already an existing country with a constitution.
The people however, unanimously agreed for the creation of new states, particularly in Rivers State, abolishment of immunity clause as enjoyed by the president and governors and conclusively said no to the creation of state police, amongst others.
In the same vein, Mr. Oliver Worlu Gboms, Director National Orientation Agency, expressed satisfaction on the level of turn-out and contributions that were made at the event.
In his view, Chief Dr. Adele Ejekwu, Director of Sarima Guest House and Al-Cazet Int. Ltd emphasized on the need for creation of states to equal all the geo-political zones in the country, for equity and fairness.
While Chief Dr. Allwell Ome-Egeonu, the paramount ruler of Iboloji Community in Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor LGA, supported the creation of States, particularly in Rivers State, but debunked the establishment of a state police, adding that such will endanger the lives of the people, as Nigeria is not yet ripe for such. He subscribed community policing as a better option to combat crimes.
Barr. Mike Wodi (JP) KSC, and Chief Nnodi Alex lauded the opportunity that was given to the people to express their minds. The duo commended the out come of the event, believing that Nigeria will be a better place for all, if the issues out-lined will be implemented.###
Barth Ndu/Pius Dukor/Blaise Elumezie
Group Questions Allocation of Oil Block…A Fall Out Of The Constitution Review
In the constitution Review organized by the Khana/Gokana representative in National House of Representative, Hon. Maurice Pronen at the Rivers State Polytechnic convocation Arena on Saturday, November 10, 2012 a group called Oil/Gas Land Owners Association represented by a seasoned journalist, Mene Gbarabe questioned allocation of oil block in the country.
The group who complained of how oil blocs are allocated to people, demanded the criteria for oil bloc allocation be enshrine in the constitution for everybody to see and know so that allotee will be known to all.
The group also agitated for percentage due Oil/Gas Land Owners in the constitution saying that the people have been cheated all this while and pressed that if this constitution on review is democratic, Land Use Act must be removed from the constitution forthwith.
In same vein, others argued that some sections of the constitution should be repealed especially section 17 (d) that do not favour communities where natural resources are found on their land.
On free University education and the provision of affordable houses in Nigeria, people suggested that the university education should be free and there should be bottleneck of getting the free university education in Nigeria. ###
Pius Dukor/Mene Gbarabe
