South-South governors demand review of federal structure

APRIL 29, 2012 BY EMMANUEL ADDEH 

Emmanuel Uduaghan, Godswill Akpabio, Adams Oshiomhole and Liyel Imoke
| credits: File copy

The Second South Economic Summit ended on Saturday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, with the governors of the six states from the zone demanding a review of the current federal structure.

The political leaders from the oil-rich area maintained that too much power was presently concentrated in the central government and asked for a fundamental appraisal of the existing arrangement to allow states take decisions on issues which affect them directly.

In a communiqué released at the end of the three-day event, the governors resolved to put pressure on the Federal Government to cede more powers to the constituent parts that make up Nigeria, including the local government.

The release was jointly signed by Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers; Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom; Liyel Imoke, Cross River; Adams Oshiomhole, Edo and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State.

‘’The federation should be restructured and unbundled, including the review of the current revenue allocation formula, to give more powers, responsibilities and funding to the states and local governments as centres of growth,” the governors insisted.

The position of the governors aligned with that of one of the anchors of the programme, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who urged the states to seek autonomy.

“The constitutional ‘envelope’ that currently holds the parts together should be pushed as far as possible, without it actually bursting, leading to a vibrant competition and collaboration among its constituent parts.

“Each regional grouping should, by its policies, declare an uncompromising developmental autonomy. This will leave the centre only with its competence provenance of foreign policy, national security and inter-state affair,” the Nobel laureate had stated.

The governors urged the FG to review the current policies and regulations on power and gas to enable the states generate, transmit and distribute power.

They added that this development would promote and accelerate economic development in the South-South region and quicken the establishment of a Niger Delta Energy Corridor.

The participants further made the decision to strengthen the governance structure in the region to incorporate private sector and other ‘’non-state actors’’ to create a favourable legal and regulatory environment.

Although the governors agreed that there had been an improvement in the security situation in the region, they called for continued pro-active approach in managing security in the area.

At the summit which drew participants from some parts of the world, the six governors promised to ensure quality education in the region

“We also support the conveying of a regional education conference; we will encourage research and use of technology to promote the desired accelerated development of the region,” the communique read.

To ensure that the recommendations were implemented, the governors directed the BRACED Commission to translate them into a “measurable and achievable plan of action’’ and engage the appropriate stakeholders.

SOURCE: The Punch, 29 April 2012. http://www.punchng.com/