For the second time in 12 years, governors from the southern part of Nigeria converged in Lagos on Monday for a meeting of the Southern Governors Forum where they discussed various issues such as collaboration for development and the need to restructure Nigeria.
The governors expressed their belief in true federalism within the context of a united Nigeria and agreed to work with the National Assembly on amending the constitution to reflect true federalism.
Host, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambodewas appointed as chairman of the Forum with Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi as co-chairmen.
10 other governors were present while Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Anambra StateGovernor Willy Obiano were represented by their deputies.
Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha however was neither present nor represented.
Speaking at the end of the meeting, Ambode said states would benefit from the envisaged restructuring while emphasising that the expected gains such as the strengthening of autonomy and the enhancement of fiscal viability,would enable the states to develop at their own pace, based on their peculiarities.
The Lagos state governor equally stated that the Southern Governors Forum had achieved an increased awareness on the sustenance of the national question that is germane to peaceful co-existence in the country.
He however added that the governors needed to do more.
Ambode called for a periodic review of the revenue formula as provided by the constitution to reflect evolving realities and enhance the viability of states and local governments and theircapacity to fulfil their developmental roles in the polity.“States are disparaged for always carrying begging bowls to Abuja in quest of hand-outs from the Federal Government. This is a function of our present national constitution that burdens the Federal Government with activities and responsibilities that rightly fall within the provinceof states.
“The productivity and revenue-generating capacities of most states are thus stifled, thus turning them into no better than street beggar states incapable of even meeting routine obligations of paying workers’ salaries and pensions without federal support,” Ambode said.
Ambode also recalled that Lagos State had fought and won several legal battles since 1999 that systematically strengthened its autonomy and enhanced its fiscal viability.
He noted that the state had won the legal control over the management of its environment, the control of urban and physical planning, the regulation of overhead masts, the registration and regulation of hotels and restaurants, and the control of inland waterways.
The Nation reports that the southern governors further clarified that the campaign for devolution of power should not be seen as a drive towards a weak centre and strong states.
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