Section 7

An inclusion of a new sub-section immediately after section 7 (5) to read that: A (6) “The functions to be conferred by law upon the Area Councils may include those set out in the Fourth Schedule to this constitution and, where so conferred, shall be performed outside the Federal Capital City (FCC) and such areas as may be designated from time to time by the Minister in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja”.

JUSTIFICATION
The proposed amendment will ensure harmony between the FCT Administration (FCTA) and the Area Councils by eliminating the duplicity of roles, conflicts and mismatches in planning, provision of infrastructure and service delivery in the Federal Capital Territory as the Area Councils will henceforth be entitled to their constitutional mandates which will be performed outside the Federal Capital City (FCC).

Section 301

Amendment to section 301 by introducing section 301 (c) to read: “References to persons, offices and authorities of a state were references to the persons, offices and authorities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration with like status, designations, and powers respectively”.

JUSTIFICATION

Apart from giving full effect to section 299 of the constitution by empowering the functionaries of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to discharge their statutory responsibilities as contained in the Presidential Order No.1 of 2004 and other laws, it will also enable such functionaries to assume the statutory roles assigned to certain Government functionaries under the Federal Capital Territory applicable laws as contained in the schedule of the Federal Capital Territory Act.”

First Schedule Part 2

Amendment to the First Schedule, Part 2 of the constitution to “amend Area Council Headquarter for Abuja Municipal from Garki to a town outside the Federal Capital City”.

FUNDING OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE FCT

There should be a definitive constitutional provision to ensure adequate and unhindered funding of the FCT sFund, or a first line charge on the funds of the Federation or some other acceptable arrangement”.

JUSTIFICATION

Abuja is a home to all Nigerians and giving the rate of its population growth, without a robust and well-structured funding arrangement for the provision and maintenance of infrastructure, it is only a matter of time before it becomes an urban slum.  Of the 196 districts that make up the FCT, only 10 districts have been fully developed with infrastructure, 12 others partially developed while 70 remain undeveloped.