The Governments of Delta, Edo and Bayelsa states on Thursday reverberated the need for devolution of power, fiscal federalism, creation of state police among other demands for the unity, peace and progress of the country.
Their demands made separately by representatives of the states were presented to the Special Committee on Constitution Review of the house of representatives at its public hearing in Asaba.
Recall that the issues were canvassed for by the states during the public hearing organised by the Senate last week in Delta State capital.
Delta State memorandum which was summerised by Prof Sam Ukala was explicit that the present structure of the Nigeria Police Force was no longer meeting the security needs of Nigerians which he said called for the establishment of state police.
“Armed herders have invaded our land, destroying farmlands to create artificial famine. They brazenly rape our women. They kidnap for ransom, and even kill our people. The worst part is that reporting to the Nigeria Police is a risky waste of time,” he said.
According to the state Attorney General of Bayelsa ,Biriyai Dambo (SAN) who presented the memorandum of the state, full resource control of all natural resources located onshore and offshore of the federating states should be well marked in the proposed amended constitution.
“We therefore, support 100% ownership of mineral and other resources by the federating units and subsequent payment of taxes to the Federal Government,” Dambo said.
Dambo recommended that items among the 68 in exclusive legislative list should be devolved to the federating states.
Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly Marcus Onobun made the presentation on behalf of the people and government of the state.
Declaring the public hearing open, Gov Ifeanyi Okowa expressed delight with the renewed drive to review the Constitution.
Represented by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori, Okowa said devolution of power, review of revenue sharing formula, creation of state police and state and local government creation should be considered in the constitution amendment.
Earlier in his remark, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase assured that the National Assembly would continue to do things that would promote the unity, happiness and prosperity of Nigeria while
Chairman of the zonal public hearing and Minority Leader of the House, Ndudi Elumelu noted that the 1999 Constitution as amended, was replete with grave defects.
According to him, the public hearing offered “a voice as well as an ear to the aspiration of the people. Of course, any system that ignores such loud voice from the citizens is doing so at it’s own peril.”
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