S/South govs call for fiscal federalism, resource control

GOVERNORS of the
South-South geopolitical
zone of the country have
re-echoed a call for the
introduction of true fiscal
federalism and resource
control, to encourage
each state in the
federation to develop
and control its natural
resources.
In a communique issued
at the end of a one-day
meeting in Uyo, Akwa-
Ibom State, on Sunday,
the governors endorsed
the communique earlier
issued by governors
from the South-South on
March 13, in Calabar,
Cross River State and
the one issued by the
speakers of South-South
state houses of assembly
on March 29 in Uyo on
revenue allocation.
According to the meeting,
the two communiques had
“regretted attempt to link
the increasing insecurity
in parts of northern
Nigeria to the revenue
sharing formula and,
indeed, the unfortunate
and misplaced calls for a
review,” insisting that
“the issue to be
addressed was the
introduction of fiscal
federalism.”
The meeting, attended by
South-South governors,
members of National
Assembly, speakers of
the state houses of
assembly of the states,
questioned the rationale
of not exploiting other
mineral deposits in
different parts of the
country, while depleting
crude oil and gas
reserves of the South-
South region.
The communique, which
was read by the chairman
of South-South
Governors’ Forum,
Senator Liyel Imoke,
reiterated a call on the
country and states to re-
focus on agriculture, to
enable states to
contribute significantly to
the national purse rather
than depending on crude
oil from the South-South
zone.
On Petroleum Industry Bill
(PIB), the communique
lamented that delay in
passing the bill had
negatively impacted on
South-South states and
called on the Federal
Government, ministries of
Petroleum Resources and
Finance to reactivate the
bill for submission to the
National Assembly, while
enjoining National
Assembly members to
ensure speedy passage
of the bill into law.
The meeting was
attended by governors
of Akwa Ibom, Chief
Godswill Akpabio;
Bayelsa, Henry Seriake
Dickson; Cross River,
Senator Liyel Imoke; Edo,
Adams Oshiomhole; Delta,
Dr Emmanuel Udughan
and the deputy governor
of Rivers, Mr Tele Ikuru.

Source: Tribune ng News