…DEMAND 13 PERCENT COMPONENT OF $1BN SECURITY FUNDS:
…REJECT BILL ON WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
The Governors of the South South geopolitical zone have taken a firm position to support the growing demand for the restructuring of the country, true federalism and devolution of power.
The Chairman of the South South Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, who briefed journalists on the outcome of the crucial meeting at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, said that the governors agreed to back the calls to restructure and return the country to its founding principle of true federalism.
A statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Dickson on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, on Thursday quoted him as having said that the Forum also agreed to support the calls for devolution of power because of the excessive concentration of power at the centre.
Governor Dickson also said that the South South governors took a collective position to demand the 13 percent component of the $1billion funds being withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account to fight insecurity in the country.
He said that while the governors were not opposed to the Federal Government decision to spend funds to strengthen the security of the country including that of the zone, it was pertinent that the constitutional provision on the 13 percent derivation was strictly adhered to.
He explained that it was only proper to deduct the 13 percent derivation component from the $1bn in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Governor Dickson added that the governors who resolved to work across party lines on issues of collective concern would communicate their position to the relevant authorities.
The governors, according to him, also resolved to oppose the recent bill on the management Water Resources describing it as offensive and obnoxious.
He said that the governors were unanimous in opposing the idea of a centralized control of water resources as the nation was already contending with issues associated with over centralization of power in the country.
The Forum’s Chairman said further that the governors called for immediate withdrawal of the bill and advised further consultations on the issue.
Apart from the Bayelsa State Governor, the Governors of the host Rivers, Barr. Nyesom Wike, Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel, Delta, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Philip Shauibu attended the meeting.
He said, “First of all, everyone is aware of the ongoing clamor for devolution of power and a return to the essential founding principles of this country. And we in our meeting resolved as we have been speaking individually over time that we associate fully with the clamor for restructuring, true federalism and devolution of powers that are so concentrated at the centre to the federating unit’s.
“And we have agreed to support the ongoing moves in that direction by working with likeminded Nigerians who mean well for our country so that we can all have a stable prosperous and peaceful nation.
“Secondly, we took a collective view and decision that with regard to the Federal Government efforts to withdraw one billion dollars from the Excess Crude Account for national security expenditures, our position in this zone is that in line with the constitutional provision on derivation, while we have no objection to the Federal government spending on national security including the security of this zone, we believe, that the constitutional provision on 13 percent derivation should be applied and fully respected.
“And we will communicate that to the appropriate authorities so that whatever amount that is withdrawn from the Excess crude account being proceeds of crude oil activities is subject to the 13 percent derivation principle enshrined in the constitution.
“Thirdly, we also discussed the bill currently making round in the National Assembly which we understand is an executive bill on the management of water resources. We are of the view that the provisions of that bill are offensive and obnoxious. We disagree with a centralized control of water resources because we are already dealing with the problems associated with over centralization of power in our country.
“So we have agreed that that bill should be immediately withdrawn by the Federal Government and further consultations be made on that.”
