The House Committee on the Review of the Constitution has appointed nine consultants to provide expert input in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.
The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who is also the chairman of the committee made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
“In order to pass the constitution amendments in record time, I am pleased to announce to you that a nine-man technical team of consultants has been appointed to provide expert input and insights to the committee’s work.
“It is pertinent to note that the selection of the technical team was purely based on merit, expertise and personal capacity,” he said.
Mr Kalu said the team was vested with responsibilities that include to develop a reasonable time bound work-plan for the committee’s activities in liaison with the committee’s secretariat.
He said that they were also expected to advise the committee on the methodology to adopt in carrying out consultations with stakeholders and interest groups and sieve out germane issues that may arise therefrom.
The deputy speaker said that the consultants are to collate, study, analyse and asses all memoranda received from the public and to bring out the issues raised in a structured manner.
“Among others, they are to analyze and present the data collected in a simple, concise and organized manner for the committee’s deliberations and consideration to assist in ultimately taking critical and informed decisions.
“Conduct research on bills/measures and policies referred to the committee and advise on their viability and likely consequences on proposed constitutional alterations.
“Advise the committee to arrive at decisions that are fair to all and in accordance with the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy,” he said.
The consultants led by the Coordinating Consultant, Clement Nwankwo, are Mamman Osuman, Prof. Nuhu Jamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Chris Uche, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Others are Seni Adio, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Samson Osagie, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, and Prof. Ladi Hammalia.
NAN
