Constitution review begins after passage of budget – Mark

Idowu Samuel, Abuja - 04.01.2008

The Senate President, Senator David Mark, has hinted of the preparedness of the National Assembly to resume the task of reviewing and amending of 1999 Constitution.

The Senate President dropped the hint on Thursday in Abuja in a press statement issued on his behalf by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.

According to Mark, the process of reviewing the constitution would start shortly after the passage of the 2008 budget and its signing into law by President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Mark said the Senate was set to constitute the review committee which he said would partner with state houses of assembly in conformity with the provision of the constitution.

“We look forward to the 1999 Constitution review process and as soon as the budget is passed and assented to by the President, we will constitute the review committee which would partner with state Houses of Assembly in conformity with the constitution,” he said.

The Senate President said Nigerians should expect the passage of the 2008 Appropriation Bill early this month, adding that the Senate would ensure the strengthening of oversight function of the National Assembly on the executive in the current year.

Against this background, Mark said the Public Account Committee and the standing committees of the Senate were fully prepared to monitor the implementation of the budgetary performance more vigorously than before.

“In 2008, the National Assembly under my leadership will maintain the current harmonious working relationship with the executive arm in order to achieve good governance and economic benefit for the ordinary Nigerian,” he added.