Constitutional amendment: South South States demand fiscal federalism
Barth Ndubuwah,Port Harcourt
As clamour for the restructuring of Nigeria thickens,the South South States, comprising Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom have called for fiscal federalism, where the federating states are allowed to control their resources and pay tax to the central government.
Speaking on behalf of the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, his Deputy, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, while declaring the South South Zonal constitutional review public hearing in Port Harcourt Thursday opened, said it is unfair for minority states that bear the resources of the country to be denied of economic means.
According to her, the Rivers government will always support what will bring about the empowerment of its people.
Other issues canvassed by the Rivers State government include,state police,devollution of powers, among others.
“The issues have been raised,so it’s up to you to sincerely effect the change that will produce a people’s constitution.Nigerians need a constitution that will be fair to all.A constitution that will give them sense of belonging and without discrimination. We need a constitution that guarantees economic fiscal federalism,state police, devollution of powers, among others”, Wike said.
According to the governor,the state believes in the indivisibility of Nigeria and as such will not support any seccessionist move by any group to desintegrate the country.
Re-emphasizing the position of the State, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State,Zacchaeus Adangor said Rivers State is against the interference of National Judicial Council (NJC) in the appointment of a State Chief Judge.
He also said that labour issues should be removed from the Exclusive List.
Adangor said the state government is not comfortable with the abuse of the Federal Character Principle,where most principal offices are given to a section of the country.
Also speaking,the Attorney Generals of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, said 50%of all the political appointments in the country should be given to women.
They equally asked for a single tenure of four years for all political elective offices, stressing that more powers should be given to states, to relieve the Federal Government of excess burden.
The duo said the electoral amendment law before the National Assembly should be passed without further delay,to ensure free and fair elections.
Akwa Ibom and Cross River representatives said any political office holder that defects from his party after election must vacate that office.
Ealier the Senate Committee Chairman on Constitutional review,,Sen Ovie Omo-Agege had said that the whole essence of the constitutional review is to produce a people’s constitution that will address the yearnings of the citizens.
Represented by Sen Thompson Sekibo,Omo-Agege said the National Assembly and indeed the entire country is aware of the myriad of agitations in the country against the 1999 Constitution. He assured that these challenges will be addressed by the constitutional amendment.
He urged the people to cooperate with the Senate Committee on Constitution Amendment to achieve the desired goal.
