Reps seek to empower states to declare public holidays

A bill seeking a give states the power to declare public holidays passed second reading at the House of Representatives Thursday.

Sponsored by Mukhtar Zakari Chawai, it is titled ‘A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to transfer the item dealing with Public Holidays from the Exclusive Legislative list to the Concurrent Legislative List; and for Related Matters (HB. 1163).’

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Chawai said the proposed legislation to allow both state and federal governments powers to take decisions on issue regarding public holidays.

The bill was passed and referred to the Adhoc Committee on the Review of the Constitution for further legislative actions.