The Cross River State House of Assembly has commenced consideration of a proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish State Police in the 36 states of the federation.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Provide for the Establishment of State Police Services and for Related Matters in the 36 States of the Federation,” was transmitted by the National Assembly to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration.
The transmission also included the relevant bill, votes and proceedings of both chambers of the National Assembly, as well as other documents relating to the proposed constitutional alteration.
During plenary on Wednesday, lawmakers moved and seconded a motion for the correspondence to be called, received and laid on the table.
The House subsequently agreed to receive the documents as working papers for further consideration of the proposed amendment.
Speaking to newsmen, the Speaker of the Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, said the proposal would be subjected to the normal legislative process, including consideration and debate, before the House takes a position.
Ayambem said that following the consideration of the correspondence, the House proceeded with the First Reading of the State Police Amendment Bill.
He said the commencement of the process in Cross River followed the transmission of the proposed constitutional amendment to state legislatures for consideration as part of the ongoing process of altering the Constitution.
“The bill is expected to undergo further legislative scrutiny as the House considers its provisions and their implications for policing and security administration in the state,” he said.