Remawa posted on May 25, 2009 12:40
The overall objective of the reform agenda of government is to create an enabling environment where businesses will thrive, an environment to deepen democracy, fight corruption and improve the living standards of Nigerians.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, stated this at the meeting of the Body of Attorneys-General held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State at the weekend.
The Minister stated that government had in no way derailed from the actualization of its seven-point agenda but had consistently stuck to it, part of which could be seen in the development of infrastructure which had received a boost through the massive awards of contract for the construction of roads and other facilities across the country.
He disclosed that seven executive bills, designed to perfect the country’s electoral system and strengthen her democracy, were presently at the National Assembly, while a bill for an Act to Amend the Land Use Act had also been forwarded to the National Assembly.
The Minister noted that the seven executive bills had implications for the current efforts to amend the Constitution, and therefore solicited the support of the state Attorneys-General and their respective Houses of Assembly, as they had significant roles to play in the amendment.
The Attorney-General stated that a review of Nigeria’s Human Rights Practices under the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review was carried out in Geneva, Switzerland on the 9th of February, 2009, adding that Nigeria had also adopted the Action Plans which would shortly be deposited with the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Aondoakaa, who urged the state Attorneys-General to be committed to the observance of the rule of law and respect for human rights in their various states, asked them to pay particular attention to the plight of inmates currently on death row.
The Minister advocated the release of those who have overstayed on death row, as their long stay and attendant trauma could rightly be regarded as tantamount to their having served their sentences.
He said he had therefore recommended to the Prerogative of Mercy, the release or committal of sentences in respect of 87 inmates that are 60 years and above on death row and other sentences.
In a remark, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Dr Hassan Lawal, commended the dynamism of the discussions of the Federal Executive Council where all issues are first subjected to the rule of law and what it says, following the candour with which the body is guided, and thus enjoined the state Attorneys-General to imbibe similar spirit and guide their principals aright.
According to him, this is the only way meaningful national development could be attained.
Similarly, the Honourable Minister of State for Commerce, Mr. Humphrey Abah, enjoined the Bar to support the current effort to entrench the rule of law as a way of life, and support the administration in its avowed commitment to the rule of law.
In a welcome address, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, represented by his deputy, aligned his administration to the rule of law, which has enabled him achieve monumental development in his state.
The theme of the meeting is “Reforms for Good Governance”.