Thursday 22nd May 2014
Conference resumed sitting at some minutes past 10am.
Votes and proceedings of the previous day were read, amended and adopted.
The chair announced that the federal government has granted Four (4) weeks extension for the National conference consequently the conference will end on July 17th 2014 - well my opinion on this has been aired in my post some weeks ago. Initially the conference management sought for an extension of six(6) weeks from the government, but the government declined togrant 6 weeks extension, offering instead, 4 weeks. The conference felt it is impossible for delegates’ opinions on the 20 reports to be heard and collated within the original timeframe, hence the need for extending the conference’s duration.
A recommendation was made that the time for sitting which normally starts by 10am be brought to 9am to gain an extra hour for deliberation since time is very much against us - this was agreed upon.
One of the most contentious issues that brought controversy the previous day, was the establishment of grazing reserves, cattle ranches for nomadic herdsmen and the responsibility for the funding of such grazing reserves, cattle ranches, modern fodder development technology etc.
A motion was passed that: An integrated development and livelihood modernization program be designed and implemented to address the issues of settling nomadic herdsmen into settled communities based on established cattle ranches with fodder development technologies and including abattoirs, processors and other business along the livestock chain. It was also suggested that an integrated development and modernization program should be funded by both federal and state governments in states where such settlement are established and that this integrated development programs should be undertaken and wrapped up within a period of 5 to 10 years after which such settlements should have become self- sustaining with the full integration of the nomadic herdsmen community into modern Nigeria’s political economy.
This motion was adopted by the house.
Hence the motion for adoption of the report on committee on citizenship, immigration and related matters was moved and seconded.
Committees on devolution of power laid their report; a member of that committee who described herself as a lone voice presented a“minority report” saying she does not agree with the committee’s report especially in respect of the Derivation Formula. Well therules of the conference clearly stated that if 70% are in support of a position, it becomes final, moreover minority report is unknown to the conference in the words of the Chairman and giving room to such minority report will open room for more.
We moved on to committee reportspresentation. The Committee on Land Tenure Matters presented their report.
Some brilliant recommendations were made in the report.
The contentious issue was the recommendation of the committee on the need to expunge the Land Use Act 1978 from the 1999 Constitution. There was a clear regional divide on the issue - a part are for it and another part was vehemently against it,saying it's a capitalist movement and expunging it will greatly affect the masses.The debate was too hot, it was finally put to vote - voice vote but the voice was at par. The 'yeas' and the 'nays' hence it was bracketed. Decision on that particular recommendation was deferred - the committee report not adopted yet.
We adjourned at some minutes to 6pm to resume on Monday - yes no sitting on Friday as always.
On Twitter: @Yadomah
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