Confab: Secretariat Denies Extension Of Conference By Six Weeks

confabThe National Conference Secretariat has denied news reports that the Federal Government has approved the extension of the duration of the conference by six weeks, saying the information was not only “misleading, but untrue in fact”.

“If there is need for an extension, a request for that would emanate from the Conference Secretariat to the Presidency, and as at the time of issuing this statement no such request has been made to the Presidency and the Secretariat is not aware of any formal extension of the conference duration by the Federal Government, as reported in some sections of the media”, a statement by the Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications of the Secretariat, Akpandem James said.

The statement, however, confirmed that the some committee chairmen “complained of the shortness of time for committee work, citing the heavy workload and relevant assistance they would require from external sources to do a thorough job” adding that “it was then agreed that one extra week should be added to enable the committees tidy up their activities and present meaningful reports”.

“However, since the following week beginning from Monday May 5 to Thursday May 8 (sitting days), will see Abuja hosting the World Economic Forum, and because some delegates to, and facilities used for the National Conference will be involved and engaged respectively for the Economic Forum, the week following from Monday May 12 to Thursday May 15 was consequently approved for the extension, for conclusion of committee work”, it noted.

“As a follow-up to that agreement, the Conference Secretary, Dr (Mrs) Valerie-Janette Azinge, formally communicated the decision to all Committee chairmen on Wednesday, April 30. It was clearly entitled “EXTENSION OF TIME FOR COMMITTEE WORK”, the statement noted.