By DAPO AKINREFON
LAGOS — Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State said, yesterday, that irrespective of the deficiency in the 1999 Constitution, advocates for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference, SNC, were calling for trouble.
He also said that although a state governor was entitled to request more revenue, it must be done in line with the provision laid down by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC.
On the on-going trial of his predecessor, Chief James Ibori, the governor explained that he declined to comment on the case because it was still in the law court.
Uduaghan, spoke on Media, democratic governance and the challenges of national development, at the first distinguished lecture series organised by the School of Media Communication, Pan-African University, in Lagos.
While he attested to the fact that the 1999 constitution is imperfect, he berated advocates for the convocation of a national confab, saying they were out to cause trouble.
His words: “The issues of amendment are also in the constitution and the amendment in the constitution does not give room for a Sovereign National Conference. So, why do we want to deal with things that are not legal? Why do we want to deal with things that will make me hate you? What some people are setting out to do is for an ethnic group to face the other ethnic group.
No need for SNC
“Most of the things they said that day were based on ethnicity or region. That will not move us forward. It will cause more problem than we envisage. I do not believe that there is a need for a Sovereign National Conference, because a Sovereign National Conference, is a call for trouble, except we don’t have faith in our National Assembly and I think that is very wrong.
“We have a National Assembly that has been approving budgets over the years, the budgets are being used to run this country. Many of us are part of the running of this country. The constitution, obviously is not perfect, and to make it perfect, it has to pass through the National Assembly and follow due process.”
On northern govs’ demand
On the demand by northern governors and elders for more revenue, he said the request had to be in line with the provisions of the constitution.
According to him, “I think I have tried to deal with the issue of the demand for money. Every governor has a right to demand for more money and every governor also has a right to strategise to earn more money for the state. But like I said, that demand has to be done within the constitutional provision and the constitutional provision in terms of revenue allocation is that states can demand for more revenue or for higher share of the revenue allocation.
“Right now, I think the Federal Government takes about 52 per cent of the revenue, the states and local government are getting 46 per cent, while we have the remaining two per cent for ecological issues.”
Supports review of revenue formula
Throwing his weight behind the call for a review of the revenue formula, the Delta State governor said: “What we are saying even at the Governors’ Forum is that there has to be a review of allocation and of course, the body that is empowered to initiate that review is the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
For us as governors, we have come together, we are looking at it and we are also liaising with the RMAFC to initiate the review. We think that more funds should be given to the states and local government councils, and that also means the review of the responsibilities of the various tiers of government.
FG has no business with PHC
“Some of us, and I think generally, do not think the Federal Government has any business in dealing with primary health care problems. Why should the Federal Government come and build primary health care centres in your village? Federal Government has no business constructing primary schools or even water project.
These are some of the things that should be left in the hands of states and local government councils. The Federal Government should be confined to the bigger issues of national security, issues of bigger projects. That’s what we are saying.
Off-shore oil revenue
“Taking a look at revenue allocation, we must also take a look at the responsibilities. Having said that, it is not acceptable for anybody to say that the revenue coming from a particular part of Nigeria, does not come from a state.
It is not acceptable because every part of Nigeria, whether it is filled with water, fresh water, sea water, high sea or whatever all belong to part of a state. The constitution says revenue from any part will be put together and shared according to the laid down formular.
“So, no one can say this revenue from this part belongs to the Federal Government alone. No. These are issues that do not jive, like we say it in our area and they are not correct.”
On Ibori’s trial
On the alleged speculation that he travelled to London during the trial of his predecessor (Chief Ibori), he said: “You called it a rumour, so, why should I react to it? A rumour is a rumour and truthfully, it is a rumour. I will leave it at that. Rumours are never truthful.”
In addition, he said he declined comments on the Ibori trial to avoid contempt of court.
He said: “All the issues on that case are in the court of law, either in Nigeria or in the United Kingdom. Once issues are in the court of law, I cannot make any comment. The issues are in the court of law, let the court determine the case.
Until the court cases are over, I don’t think it’s right for anybody to make comments because whatever comments you make, might either influence the court or the jury. Some people are just flouting the law.
“Why should I make a comment on a case that the judge has not delivered judgment on? Let’s not go into that debate of him (Ibori) being found guilty; you must get the truth of the whole matter before you make a comment. And I don’t want us to debate it because it is still in the court of law.”
Challenges facing devt
In his lecture entitled: Media, democratic governance and the challenges of national development”, Uduaghan identified unemployment, insecurity and misinformation as major challenges facing national development. He said the state government had been able to address some of the challenges facing the state.
While reeling out his administration’s vision to diversify the economy of Delta State from over reliance on oil and statutory allocation, he said efforts had been geared to other sectors that could create employment and wealth for the people.
He said: “We designated two growth poles on which to hinge the programme. Warri area, in the Southern part of the state, would benefit from both the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil industry, by offering complementary services and support infrastructure. The northern part of the state is our logistic hub.”
Speaking further, he said “The Asaba airport was faster in taking off because we already have a large market ready for it. The combination of Onitsha/Nnewi market and the growing interest in the vast businesses and investment opportunities in the state are making it a successful investment for us.”
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/03/snc-is-a-call-for-trouble-uduaghan/
LAGOS — Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State said, yesterday, that irrespective of the deficiency in the 1999 Constitution, advocates for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference, SNC, were calling for trouble.
He also said that although a state governor was entitled to request more revenue, it must be done in line with the provision laid down by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC.
From left: Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Prof. Emevwo Biakolo and Mr. Richard Ikiebe during a lecture on "Media, Democratic Governance and Challenges of National Development", delivered by Governor Uduaghan at the School of Media and Communication, Pan African University, Lagos yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.
Uduaghan, spoke on Media, democratic governance and the challenges of national development, at the first distinguished lecture series organised by the School of Media Communication, Pan-African University, in Lagos.
While he attested to the fact that the 1999 constitution is imperfect, he berated advocates for the convocation of a national confab, saying they were out to cause trouble.
His words: “The issues of amendment are also in the constitution and the amendment in the constitution does not give room for a Sovereign National Conference. So, why do we want to deal with things that are not legal? Why do we want to deal with things that will make me hate you? What some people are setting out to do is for an ethnic group to face the other ethnic group.
No need for SNC
“Most of the things they said that day were based on ethnicity or region. That will not move us forward. It will cause more problem than we envisage. I do not believe that there is a need for a Sovereign National Conference, because a Sovereign National Conference, is a call for trouble, except we don’t have faith in our National Assembly and I think that is very wrong.
“We have a National Assembly that has been approving budgets over the years, the budgets are being used to run this country. Many of us are part of the running of this country. The constitution, obviously is not perfect, and to make it perfect, it has to pass through the National Assembly and follow due process.”
On northern govs’ demand
On the demand by northern governors and elders for more revenue, he said the request had to be in line with the provisions of the constitution.
According to him, “I think I have tried to deal with the issue of the demand for money. Every governor has a right to demand for more money and every governor also has a right to strategise to earn more money for the state. But like I said, that demand has to be done within the constitutional provision and the constitutional provision in terms of revenue allocation is that states can demand for more revenue or for higher share of the revenue allocation.
“Right now, I think the Federal Government takes about 52 per cent of the revenue, the states and local government are getting 46 per cent, while we have the remaining two per cent for ecological issues.”
Supports review of revenue formula
Throwing his weight behind the call for a review of the revenue formula, the Delta State governor said: “What we are saying even at the Governors’ Forum is that there has to be a review of allocation and of course, the body that is empowered to initiate that review is the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
For us as governors, we have come together, we are looking at it and we are also liaising with the RMAFC to initiate the review. We think that more funds should be given to the states and local government councils, and that also means the review of the responsibilities of the various tiers of government.
FG has no business with PHC
“Some of us, and I think generally, do not think the Federal Government has any business in dealing with primary health care problems. Why should the Federal Government come and build primary health care centres in your village? Federal Government has no business constructing primary schools or even water project.
These are some of the things that should be left in the hands of states and local government councils. The Federal Government should be confined to the bigger issues of national security, issues of bigger projects. That’s what we are saying.
Off-shore oil revenue
“Taking a look at revenue allocation, we must also take a look at the responsibilities. Having said that, it is not acceptable for anybody to say that the revenue coming from a particular part of Nigeria, does not come from a state.
It is not acceptable because every part of Nigeria, whether it is filled with water, fresh water, sea water, high sea or whatever all belong to part of a state. The constitution says revenue from any part will be put together and shared according to the laid down formular.
“So, no one can say this revenue from this part belongs to the Federal Government alone. No. These are issues that do not jive, like we say it in our area and they are not correct.”
On Ibori’s trial
On the alleged speculation that he travelled to London during the trial of his predecessor (Chief Ibori), he said: “You called it a rumour, so, why should I react to it? A rumour is a rumour and truthfully, it is a rumour. I will leave it at that. Rumours are never truthful.”
In addition, he said he declined comments on the Ibori trial to avoid contempt of court.
He said: “All the issues on that case are in the court of law, either in Nigeria or in the United Kingdom. Once issues are in the court of law, I cannot make any comment. The issues are in the court of law, let the court determine the case.
Until the court cases are over, I don’t think it’s right for anybody to make comments because whatever comments you make, might either influence the court or the jury. Some people are just flouting the law.
“Why should I make a comment on a case that the judge has not delivered judgment on? Let’s not go into that debate of him (Ibori) being found guilty; you must get the truth of the whole matter before you make a comment. And I don’t want us to debate it because it is still in the court of law.”
Challenges facing devt
In his lecture entitled: Media, democratic governance and the challenges of national development”, Uduaghan identified unemployment, insecurity and misinformation as major challenges facing national development. He said the state government had been able to address some of the challenges facing the state.
While reeling out his administration’s vision to diversify the economy of Delta State from over reliance on oil and statutory allocation, he said efforts had been geared to other sectors that could create employment and wealth for the people.
He said: “We designated two growth poles on which to hinge the programme. Warri area, in the Southern part of the state, would benefit from both the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil industry, by offering complementary services and support infrastructure. The northern part of the state is our logistic hub.”
Speaking further, he said “The Asaba airport was faster in taking off because we already have a large market ready for it. The combination of Onitsha/Nnewi market and the growing interest in the vast businesses and investment opportunities in the state are making it a successful investment for us.”
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/03/snc-is-a-call-for-trouble-uduaghan/