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From Ben Dunno, Warri
Niger Delta elders and Stakeholders have called for a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria’s federal system to allow states to retain 70 per cent of revenues from resources produced within their territories.
The elders included Joseph Ambakederimo, environmentalist, Alagoa Morris, Prof. Francis Ikopit, member Governing Council, Niger Delta University and Bubaraye Dakolo, Chairman, Bayelsà State Traditional Rulers Council.
They spoke at a dialogue in Yenegoa, Bayelsà State to mark the 65th birthday of Joe Embarcadero.
Ambakederimo called for a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria’s federal system to allow states to retain 70 per cent of revenues from resources produced within their territories. The event, themed “Federalism with Equity: Fair Resources, Fair Opportunities,” focused on resource control, fiscal federalism and equitable development.
Ambakederimo, who is Convener, South-South Reawakening Group (SSRG), said Nigeria’s current federal structure was incapable of delivering the rapid development required by the Niger Delta region and the entire country: “States should have greater control over their natural resources while contributing an agreed percentage to the Federal Government. The arrangement will promote healthy competition among states and enable them to develop according to their resources and priorities.
“The 1963 Constitution provided for 50 per cent derivation, but my recommendation would be 70 per cent retained by the states. The agitation for resource control remained relevant, particularly because oil-producing communities continued to bear the environmental and economic consequences of resource exploitation.
“Niger Delta has suffered oil spills, gas flaring, polluted water sources and the destruction of traditional livelihoods despite contributing significantly to Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings. Communities bearing the environmental burden should have greater economic benefits from resources extracted from their territories.
“The resource-control debate should not be viewed as an agitation peculiar to the Niger Delta. States previously opposed resource control are now discovering valuable mineral resources within their territories and attracting investors. “This development has demonstrated the potential benefits of allowing states greater control over resources within their domains. Nigeria should return to the principles of the 1963 Constitution, under which regions retained a substantial portion of revenues derived from resources within their territories.
“The country’s current system has created excessive centralisation and contributed to mutual suspicion among its component parts. Let us all contribute to the centre a percentage that will be agreed by all of us and do whatever you deem fit in terms of development you think is sustainable to your people.”
Ambakederimo also advocated comprehensive political restructuring rather than what he described as piecemeal reforms. He specifically cited local government autonomy and the ongoing debate over state police as examples of reforms that should be considered within a broader restructuring framework.
He called for a holistic review of Nigeria’s policing and governance structures to address insecurity and strengthen development: “Nigeria needs to look beyond isolated reforms and address the entire structure of the federation. “Why not simultaneously capture the entire policing structure? The debate today about the establishment of state police has to be forward-looking.”
He commended Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa for speaking against the existing revenue-sharing arrangement: “Diri’s position on resource distribution aligned with the theme of the media chat and reflected the need for greater equity in Nigeria’s federal system. States that received more resources and deployed them effectively would be better positioned to accelerate development.
“The struggle for resource control must remain within the ambit of the law.” He appealed to people of the Niger Delta to support the agitation, saying improved resource control would help address widespread poverty and underdevelopment in the region. Nigerians should embrace true federalism as a means of reducing mutual suspicion and strengthening national unity:
“Federalism with equity, fair resources and fair opportunities is a task that must be done. There should be strict adherence to the rule of law. It is essential for democratic stability and sustainable regional development. “Constitutional reforms should grant states greater autonomy over their resources while ensuring appropriate contributions to the centre. Nigeria must urgently rethink its federal structure if it hoped to benefit fully from emerging global economic and technological opportunities.”
He warned that continued centralisation could further constrain national development and prevent the country from taking advantage of the fourth and fifth Industrial revolutions Morris, environmentalist and Niger Delta activist lamented that the efforts by the pioneers of resource control were not being sustained: “The current crop of governors is not doing enough. Governor Diri is the lone voice championing fiscal federalism advocacy.”
Alagoa expressed concern over what he described as the inadequate response of Niger Delta governments and political leaders to the region’s long-standing demands, noting that the agitation for resource control should remain a priority.
He recalled that former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha had made efforts toward advancing the interests of the region: “Governor Diri is one of the few leaders who have continued to speak on the issue.
“There was a recent event where delegates from the North were prominently represented, while the Niger Delta appeared to have little or no representation,” questioning the commitment of the region’s leaders to issues affecting its people: “The principle of derivation should be strengthened.
Communities and states that produce the resources should receive a greater share of the proceeds.”
Dakolo said the Nigerian state is very well skewed that there are certain ways you will go and you will never get the result. He said, “Who will vote for you now? Now, Senates and House of Representative, where? How do you get the majority? How do you even convince somebody that what you are saying makes sense to everyone? It’s difficult.
“So maybe the right language has to be spoken. And if that language is spoken most of the time, it doesn’t take long for them to respond. So the people of Nigeria, the people of the Niger Delta, must learn the right language.
“Otherwise, you don’t talk to me, you don’t talk to me, you don’t get the result. But if you just speak the right language, you will see the difference. So maybe people should learn to speak the language.”
