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The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has called on the National Assembly as a matter of urgency to amend the constitution and establish a federal and state police to effectively checkmate criminality.
Dr Ikpeazu who made the call during the opening of a two day Zonal Public Hearing of the Senate Committee on the 1999 Constitution Review South East held in Owerri, Imo State stressed the need for a constitutional provision for the establishment of State Police, expressing the hope that the State Assemblies will give their support as soon as the National Assembly members conclude their role in the process of altering the constitution.
The Governor represented by his Chief Of Staff, Prof. A.C.B Agbazuere disclosed that many state Governors since 1999 have had cause to question the workability of such provision in the constitution blaming the breakdown of law and order leading to conflicts that occurred in certain domains on the inability of the police to speedily address and arrest deteriorating conflict situations on time because orders had to be sought from above before action can be taken.
The State Chief Executive further pointed at the need for division of power between the central and regional governments in other to preserve the independence of both tiers of government in the discharge of their respective duties adding that the existence of a single national police outfit is at variance with the federal system of government.
On the need for a Constitutional Role for Traditional Rulers, Governor Ikpeazu while describing the traditional rulers stool as a great symbol of power, leadership and authority stressed the need to harness the strategic position they occupy in their communities in other to bring government closer to the people and enhance good governance and rapid socio-economic development at the grassroot.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Senate President and Chairman Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege represented by the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District and Chairman on the Occasion, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu while welcoming all to the Zonal Public Hearing of the Committee on proposals for the altering of the 1999 Constitution holding simultaneously across the six geopolitical zones of the country assured that the memoranda submitted as well as those that may come forward arising from the public hearing, deliberations and engagements will be critically considered by the committee.
The event featured paper presentations by the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Chief T.A. Orji, Police Service Commission, Corporate bodies, Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria represented by the state Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Joseph Nwabeke, NLC, NULGE among others.
