The National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) on Thursday said it is set to commence civic education and public consultations on the constitution-making process by 20 March to gather data for the production of the first draft.
The Commission’s chairperson, Dr. Riang Yer Zuor made the revelation on Thursday during a visit by Cabinet Affairs Minster Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro who also doubles as the Secretary General of the High-Level Committee for the implementation of the peace agreement who went to assess the commission work progress.
“To move towards the beginning of our work on the substantive activities of constitution-making, we, in collaboration with the partners and the government, have to launch civic education and public consultations campaign by the end of the third week of March,” he said.
Addressing members of the NCRC and partner organizations, Dr. Zuor said the commission proposed to launch activities later this month to meet the 18 months allocated for the completion of the permanent constitution.
“This will allow us to ensure that step one of the process is concluded by producing the first draft of the constitutional text,” he said.
The NCRC chairperson however cited financial challenges and said that out of the USD 43 million budget for the constitution making process, the commission only received USD 800,000 which was exhausted on renovations and construction some offices. He said the other challenge is the incomplete composition of the membership of the commission.
He urged the finance ministry to ensure the remaining resources are remitted quarterly for the smooth running of the commission’s activities.
For his part, Cabinet Minister Dr. Lomuro Dr. admitted that the permanent constitution is the only way to elections. He said one of the issues that most citizens are concerned about in the constitution is the devolution of powers, which has to be spelled out before elections.
“The government is preparing the country to go for elections and it must be conducted under a permanent constitution because people thought there were issues that are not covered in the current constitution,” he said. “One of the issues people have concerns about is the devolution of power. People are concerned about justice.”
According to Minister Lomuro, the leadership of the commission under Dr. Zuor has proved its ability, is competent, and has the country at heart.
“He (Zuor) is not running it as a political party but running it collectively with his colleagues and this is why today we are here to assess the substantive procedural preparedness of the commission and a very well-crafted theme together for people who have driven constitution,” he said.