The President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law the constitutional amendment allowing states in the country to licence, generate, transmit, and distribute electricity.
This was made known in a tweet by the presidential media spokesperson, Tolu Ogunlesi, on Friday.
He tweeted, “ President #MBuhari has signed 16 Constitution Amendment Bills into Law. By this signing, State Houses of Assembly & Judiciaries now have constitutionally guaranteed financial independence, while Railways have moved from Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List.
“Another landmark change: By virtue of the Presidential Assent, Nigerian States can NOW generate, transmit and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid. Wasn’t allowed pre-amendment. This is genuine, realistic restructuring — through the Constitution.”
This is genuine, realistic Restructuring — through the Constitution.
Prisons” – now known as “Correctional Services” – has also now moved from the Exclusive Legislative List, to the Concurrent List.
Meaning that States now have the power to establish Correctional and Custodial facilities, and State Assemblies have the power to legislate on such.
One of the new Amendments to the Constitution mandates the President and Governors “to submit the names of persons nominated as Ministers or Commissioners within sixty days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or State House of Assembly.”
A couple of the Constitution Amendment Bills relate to the change of name of some Local Governments. Because LGAs are listed in the Constitution.
In Ogun State, Egbado North and Egbado South Local Government Areas are now to be known and addressed as Yewa North and Yewa South respectively.
In Ebonyi, Afikpo North and Afikpo South LGAs are now to be known as Afikpo and Edda LGAs respectively.
Constitution amendments nills originally passed by NASS included one for FINANCIAL AUTONOMY for LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, replacing the controversial “State Joint Local Government Account” w/ a new “Local Govt Council Allocation Account”—to be credited directly.
Not enough State Assemblies concurred, sadly.
With Railways moving from Exclusive to Concurrent, it means Rail no longer exclusive preserve of Federal Govt/NASS. States will now be able to MAKE LAWS regulating establishment & operation of rail services within their territory. Inter-State Rail will remain FGN responsibility.
