The House of Representatives, unlike the senate, has approved the devolution of more power to states.
This is part of some amendments to the 1999 constitution seeking to alter the “second schedule, part I & II to move certain items to the concurrent legislative list to give more legislative powers to states”.
The senate had on Wednesday voted against devolution of more power to states.
WHAT IS DEVOLUTION OF POWER?
Devolution is the delegation of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to govern at a subnational level, such as a regional or local level. It is a form of administrative decentralisation.
Devolved territories have the power to make legislation relevant to the area.
The approval of the house of representatives serves as a boost to the campaign for restructuring.
Voting is ongoing at the lower chamber of the national assembly.
Constitution amendments only become operative after they have been passed by at least 24 state houses of assembly and two-thirds of the national assembly.
More details shortly…
*With details from TheCable