PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Thursday received an interim report from the Convener of the Steering Committee on Constitutional Reform (SCCR), Mr. Nigel Hughes.The SCCR commenced work on September 1st with a view to completing its work on December 31st. The SCCR had met the deadline by presenting to the Prime Minister the interim report, but requested an extension for the purpose of completing extensive consultations. Prime Minister Nagamootoo is favourably considering the request for the extension.

According to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office, Nagamootoo thanked Hughes and the other members of the SCCR for their tireless work in preparing the interim report, and indicated that he would review it thoroughly before making any public pronouncement.

The Prime Minister had appointed Hughes as the Convener, and had also appointed Prof. Harold Lutchman, Mr. Haslyn Parris, Mrs. Geeta Chandan-Edmond and Mr. Gino Persaud as members of the SCCR in August last.

The SCCR was tasked with setting up the framework for a substantive Constitutional Reform body, intended to be broad-based and inclusive of all major stakeholders. At the time, Prime Minister Nagamootoo had said, “I am most pleased that Nigel Hughes has agreed to kick-start this stage, to come up with modalities and timeframe for the actual reform process.”

The Prime Minister had also made clear that the SCCR would not undertake any change to the existing constitution, but was tasked with mainly defining the scope of the actual reform process and establish the terms of reference and mechanisms for consultation to establish a Constitution Reform Commission.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo holds within his portfolio the responsibility for constitutional reform, in addition to being leader of government business in the National Assembly.