National Conference yesterday took another bold step towards amending the 1999 Constitution when delegates overwhelmingly voted for the removal of immunity clause as enshrined in the Constitution. The clause protects the President, Vice President, state governors and their deputies from prosecution while in office. This decision of the conference, barring last minute reversal, will expose political office holders to trial whenever they are accused of any criminal offence. The resolution was made during the consideration of the Committee on Economy, Trade and Investment’s report at plenary yesterday. The committee was headed by Hajiya Bola Shagaya. Delegates also resolved that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation should be made to pay prevalent interest rates on duly delayed remittances to the federation account. The resolution was meant to discourage late or non-remittance of money by the corporation into the Federation Account for allocation to the different tiers of government as demanded by law. It was also resolved that government, the armed forces and the private sector should collaborate and invest in the development of a military industrial complex that can support Nigeria’s defence needs as the largest economy in Africa. In a bid to attract patronage of goods produced in Nigeria, Conference urged the National Assembly to enact a law that would prohibit government from going abroad to source for goods that are available in Nigeria. The decision was meant to encourage promotion of campaign on locally produced goods so that Nigerians would be enticed to consume home made products. To prevent excessive personalization of policies and promote policy consistency, it was decided that government should submit a Bill on National Participatory Development Process to the National Assembly, to be enacted into law. As a pro-gender policy, Conference asked government to provide a special fund for interest-free loans for women farmers, marketers, traders, transporters, and owners of rural cooperatives.
Posted on: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 10:16:35 +0000