The Anambra State House of Assembly has commenced a review of several state statutes described as outdated and obsolete, many of which were enacted during the military era.
Lawmakers said many of the laws currently in force in the state have become inconsistent with present realities, noting that the legislature is determined to update them to reflect modern legal and social developments.
The Speaker of the House, Somtochukwu Udeze, disclosed this on Thursday in his opening address at a four-day retreat for the leadership and members of the Eighth Assembly held in Asaba.
Udeze said some of the statutes were originally derived from military decrees and were never properly domesticated within a democratic legal framework, while others conflict with international conventions ratified by Nigeria. He added that several of the laws also no longer align with the demands of a modern digital society.
The speaker listed laws relating to data protection, community development, environmental regulation and the rights of persons with disabilities as among those identified for possible review.
He explained that a special committee had already been constituted to examine such laws and recommend necessary amendments or reforms.
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According to him, the retreat was organised to enable lawmakers outline concrete legislative priorities and develop a clear roadmap for their activities before the end of the legislative year.
Udeze said the exercise would guide members on the specific laws they intend to review, the new bills they plan to originate within the House, and the capacity-building support required to ensure high legislative standards.
Participants at the retreat are also expected to strengthen legislative capacity and improve the effectiveness of the Assembly’s lawmaking and oversight functions.
The retreat, themed “Strengthening democratic governance through constitutional reviews and budgetary oversight: The role of state legislatures,” featured presentations from resource persons drawn from various legislative institutions.