Lagos chiefs insist on devolution of powers

The association wondered why the federating units should be precluded from performing several important constitutional responsibilities most listed in the Exclusive Legislative list. “We are not in doubt that the states have assumed a beggarly status, transformed into dependent serfs who depend on monthly releases and regular bailouts from Abuja for their subsistence. “As key stakeholders with varied interests in the cosmopolitan city of Lagos and the economic capital of Nigeria, we are of the strong view that there is a need to identify and address the provision in the 1999 constitution as amended that had become a stumbling block. One of such provisions is the “Devolution of Power to States”, vide decongesting the Exclusive Legislative list. “For us, an association of prominent members of the Lagos Community who have served the state and the nation meritoriously, our request to revisit the position on devolution of power is borne out of our realisation of the potentialities of Lagos State, germane to enhancing its economy and revenue. Our position is that if Nigeria is to make progress economically and achieve its goal of a sustainably diversified economy and revenue base, it must reform its political economic institutions in order to reflect the legitimate aspirations of the different groups of Nigerians that are voluntarily resident in cosmopolitan Lagos. “The less subjugation of the federating units, nay states, that are the engines of our march to economic development, the more the bondage that has shackled Nigeria’s economic potentials will be loosened. Again sincere leaders will be needed to manage this new found state resources for quick and rapid growth in the federating. units. Each state has its comparative advantage and must therefore struggle to raise its revenue profile in order to meet the needs of the people. “Until the states are strengthened and made viable, the federal government cannot be strong. Every state has its own peculiarity as we are all naturally endowed. The endowment might not be in equal proportion, but each federating unit sure needs the other. Kebbi State is a good pointer to improving internal revenue by harnessing abundant available resources through rice production and processing for the Lagos market,” the association said.]]>