Issues of state creation, local government review and assigning specific roles to traditional institutions top the agenda as the North Central Zone held public hearing on the review of the Nineteen Ninety Nine Constitution.
The gathering in Minna, Niger State, attracted delegates from the three States of Niger, Kogi and Kwara.
The aim of the exercise spearheaded by the House of Representatives Committee on constitution review is to provide a platform for citizens to contribute to the review process.
On the occasion, the House received 46 proposals for state creation and 117 on local government areas and other requests.
From Niger State, creation of two additional states topped the requests submitted by delegates.
Kogi as representatives from the state also proposed the creation of Okun and Okura states to speed up political and socio-economic development of the people.
Kogi delegates also appealed for devolutiom of Power, reform of the Judiciary, decentralization of security.
They specifically called for security decentralization to pave the way for the creation of State police and strong community policing.
Ifesowapo due for creation
Mr Adebayo Daramola from Kwara State also informed the gathering that Ifesowapo is their proposed new state.
The area is rich in solid minerals, while attention should also be focused in creating more local government areas.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger state Council of Traditional Rulers,Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar called for restoration of constitutional power to the traditional institutions.
The monarch stressed the need for the National Assembly to grant constitutional backing to traditional institutions.
The Deputy Majority Leader and Chairman North Central Zone Centre ‘A’ Public Hearing Mallam Abdullahi Ali Halims expressed optimism that the National Assembly would accord the right attention to all the proposals.
There were other presentations from civil society organizations, women and human rights groups advocating equal rights and opportunities for every citizens.
