Resource control, devolution of powers, new revenue sharing formula and state creation were the major demands in the memoranda submitted at the public hearing on the amendment of the 1999 constitution which kicked off in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, on Tuesday.
The demands include the creation of Calabar State, from the existing Cross River State, as well as the creation of Obolo State, from the existing Akwa Ibom, to comprise of the coastal local government areas of Ibeno, Eastern Obolo, Mbo, Oron, among others.
Presenting the position of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udoh Kierien, leader of the House, said the lawmakers were in support of gender equality, state police and a 10-year residency to qualify Nigerians to be regarded as an indigene of the state where he or she resides, in addition to local government autonomy.
The public hearing which is for the three states of Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River is expected to end on Wednesday.
Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase who is the chairman of the constitution review, urged the people not to get tired over the exercise.
According to him, though the amendment has not been adopted in the past, the National Assembly will continue to push for the amendment to mitigate what is happening in the country in terms of insecurity and growing agitations for restructuring.
Governor Udom Emmanuel who was represented by the secretary to the state government, Emmanuel Ekuwem said Akwa Ibom believed in one indivisible Nigeria where justice, equality and fairness are upheld.
On his part the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike who was represented by the attorney-general of the state, Zaccheaus Adangorthe advised members of the committee to ensure that the amendments were promptly implemented after collating all submissions and memoranda from the people
While lamenting the high cost of conducting elections in Nigeria, he called for an outright drafting of a new constitution where input from every segment of the society would be considered, adding that the 1999 constitution has outlived its purpose and no longer suitable.
Presenting the position of the organised labour, Amaechi Asuche condemned move to remove minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list saying it would be like trampling on the rights of the workers.
Also, Enefiok Essien, the immediate past vice-chancellor, University of Uyo kicked against the non-discrimination on the disbursement of Value Added Tax (VAT) to states that are opposed to the sale and distribution of certain products, saying it is unfair for revenue accruing to all states to be shared equally to those opposing sales of certain products such as alcohol.
