Questions to the 2023 presidential candidates (5), By Adetolu Ademujimi
Given that multiple states have a litany of untapped natural resources, governors are better off navigating the destinies of their individual states for revenue pooling, while chairmen of LGA councils are more likely to significantly stimulate development in their respective areas if these two sub-national authorities fail to do so. 'no need to wait for the "readiness" or "interest" of the federal government to exploit resources in their areas... Do you agree?
Reform of governance structure for decentralization/federalism; Economic revolution and restoration of security
Some degree of “legal, geographic, administrative, political and economic” control over resources by sub-national units is essential for substantial progress and development to reach over 98% of the estimated 206 million Nigerians who reside and work in all 36 states. and 774 local government areas (LGAs). The constitution-backed “pocket money syndrome” entrenched in the Nigerian federation and directed by the federal government (like an elderly father) via central resource exploration, revenue collection and monthly revenue sharing unacceptable. The custom of distributing stipends from this central scholarship (mostly petroleum proceeds) to 36 able-bodied children, one nephew, and 774 grandchildren (36 States, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and 774 Local Government Areas, LGAs) is an appalling management practice that has killed the creativity of subnational governments and made them permanently dependent on the selfish federal government for over 60 years.
In fact, the current overly centralized economic model (resource exploration, revenue derivation and revenue sharing) is more beneficial to a few powerful members of the elite club who are close to the seat of power in Abuja (where less than 2% of our population live and work) than the average Nigerian (over 98% of our population). Worse still, this 'sharing mentality' has made huge 'free money' available to political office holders, senior federal officials and government contractors linked to Abuja, making Nigerians mistakenly believe that our ' earth flows with milk and honey" without end.
However, for the sub-nationals to be freed from this legal and mental bondage upheld by the 1999 Military Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and experience a massive economic revolution, it is best for them to delegate appropriate powers (“legal, geographic, administrative, political and economic”) to allow them a high degree of autonomy via resource exploration and revenue generation in their individual areas of comparative advantage and pay royalties to the central government. Specifically, economic autonomy to be granted to states and LGAs with high income mineral resources such as oil, gold, bitumen, etc. be turned over to the Central Exchange for further distribution to other States and LGAs to supplement their revenues.
Given that multiple states have a litany of untapped natural resources, governors are better off navigating the destinies of their individual states for revenue pooling, while chairmen of LGA councils are more likely to significantly stimulate development in their respective areas if these two sub-national authorities fail to do so. no need to wait eith...
Given that multiple states have a litany of untapped natural resources, governors are better off navigating the destinies of their individual states for revenue pooling, while chairmen of LGA councils are more likely to significantly stimulate development in their respective areas if these two sub-national authorities fail to do so. 'no need to wait for the "readiness" or "interest" of the federal government to exploit resources in their areas... Do you agree?
Reform of governance structure for decentralization/federalism; Economic revolution and restoration of security
Some degree of “legal, geographic, administrative, political and economic” control over resources by sub-national units is essential for substantial progress and development to reach over 98% of the estimated 206 million Nigerians who reside and work in all 36 states. and 774 local government areas (LGAs). The constitution-backed “pocket money syndrome” entrenched in the Nigerian federation and directed by the federal government (like an elderly father) via central resource exploration, revenue collection and monthly revenue sharing unacceptable. The custom of distributing stipends from this central scholarship (mostly petroleum proceeds) to 36 able-bodied children, one nephew, and 774 grandchildren (36 States, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and 774 Local Government Areas, LGAs) is an appalling management practice that has killed the creativity of subnational governments and made them permanently dependent on the selfish federal government for over 60 years.
In fact, the current overly centralized economic model (resource exploration, revenue derivation and revenue sharing) is more beneficial to a few powerful members of the elite club who are close to the seat of power in Abuja (where less than 2% of our population live and work) than the average Nigerian (over 98% of our population). Worse still, this 'sharing mentality' has made huge 'free money' available to political office holders, senior federal officials and government contractors linked to Abuja, making Nigerians mistakenly believe that our ' earth flows with milk and honey" without end.
However, for the sub-nationals to be freed from this legal and mental bondage upheld by the 1999 Military Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and experience a massive economic revolution, it is best for them to delegate appropriate powers (“legal, geographic, administrative, political and economic”) to allow them a high degree of autonomy via resource exploration and revenue generation in their individual areas of comparative advantage and pay royalties to the central government. Specifically, economic autonomy to be granted to states and LGAs with high income mineral resources such as oil, gold, bitumen, etc. be turned over to the Central Exchange for further distribution to other States and LGAs to supplement their revenues.
Given that multiple states have a litany of untapped natural resources, governors are better off navigating the destinies of their individual states for revenue pooling, while chairmen of LGA councils are more likely to significantly stimulate development in their respective areas if these two sub-national authorities fail to do so. no need to wait eith...
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