The National Conference Secretariat has announced the postponement of the resumption date from August 4 to 11. A message sent this morning by e-mail to delegates by Akpandem James, Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications, said the postponement is to give the Conference Secretariat enough time to get the final report ready for all delegates.

James wrote: “Distinguished Delegate,

“When the Management of the National Conference 2014 adjourned plenary session on Monday, July 14, 2014 delegates were informed that they will reconvene on Monday, August 4, 2014 to certify the draft report of the Conference to be assembled by the Secretariat.

“Substantial work has been done on the various sections of the report as at now and we were hopeful that the entire draft will be ready by the scheduled date.

“However, because of the two-day public holiday declared for Monday and Tuesday, July 28 and 29 respectively, and the volume of the report, which various sections have to be integrated and produced at the same time, it is becoming obvious that 500 copies of the draft report in the required volumes may not be ready for distribution to all the delegates on Monday August 4, 2014. This is because external facilities needed to reproduce the volume required became unavailable beginning this weekend because of the long holiday.

“To avoid a situation where delegates return to Abuja without having the necessary materials to conclude the session within the time frame specified in the Work Plan, Conference Management decided to move the return date ahead by one week. Consequently delegates are now required to return for certification of the Conference Report on Monday, August 11, 2014.

“This shift may not affect other schedules already set for the eventual winding up of the 2014 National Conference.

“While management appreciates the understanding, and seeks further cooperation of distinguished delegates, it deeply regrets any inconvenience the shift is likely to cause them.”

•Photo shows the National Conference in session before it adjourned plenary session on Monday, July 14.