By Tapre Timine, Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called for a comprehensive amendment of the 1999 Constitution to reflect true federalism where states have control over their resources and remit taxes to the Federal Government.
Speaking during the South-South Zonal Public Hearing on the Constitution Review held in Yenagoa on Saturday, Governor Diri criticised the current structure as unfair and lopsided particularly in the allocation of local government areas.
He pointed out that despite Bayelsa’s great contribution to the Federation Account through oil resources, the state has only eight local government areas, while some states with little or no natural resources control as many as 44.
He added that the imbalance in the creation of local governments and allocation of resources must be corrected to promote justice and equity.
According to him, states should have the constitutional authority to create and manage as many local government areas as their needs and resources can support, enabling more effective governance and service delivery.
Governor Diri therefore urged the National Assembly to use the opportunity of the ongoing constitutional review to address these long-standing issues and build a structure that works for all Nigerians.
He said: “At the crux of our demands is the firm commitment to the establishment of a Federal system and structure that is genuine, just, equitable, responsive, and demonstrably dedicated to the holistic development of our region and the people of the south south.
“We earnestly call for the ratification of historical injustices related to the inequitable allocation of resources alongside the disparity in the creation and distribution of Local Government Areas.
“We maintain that states should posses the autonomy and authority to create and manage the number of local government areas commensurate with their own resources thus, enabling decisions that directly response to the needs of their communities.
“I don’t belief that the Federal Government should sit in Abuja and create 8 Local Government Areas for Bayelsa and create 44 Local Government elsewhere.”
