Let there be more states
The unrelenting clamour for creation of more states in the country received a boost last week as the National Conference unanimously endorsed the creation of one additional state in the South-East, and 17 others nation-wide. Till date, the South-East remains the only geopolitical zone with five states. While the North-West has seven states, the rest have six each.
The confab, however, recommended that each of the 18 new states must be viable and have, at least, one natural mineral or solid resource. If the 18 states are eventually created, it will bring the number of states in the country to 54.
We laud the confab decision on the creation of additional states in the country. The resolution is largely a response to the plethora of demands for more states by different interest groups across the country. There is no doubt that the exercise will substantially address the problem of marginalization of some groups, as well as allay some of the fears of domination of some small ethnic groups by larger ones. In a country with diverse ethnic groups like Nigeria, state creation is one sure way of giving more people a sense of belonging. It is a veritable way of addressing the structural imbalances of our skewed federation. Besides, it will bring government and development nearer to people and places which, otherwise, would not see any meaningful development if governance is not brought closer to them.
Again, the increasing population of the country calls for new areas of development, hence the need for creation of more states to satisfy the yearnings of many people in the country. The Nigerian experience has demonstrated that states drive development. There is no doubt that the 36 state capitals are centres of development and economic activities.
Since state creation brings government and development nearer to the grassroots, Nigeria, with a 54-state structure, will further witness the spread of development to more places in the country. This will help to ensure equity and justice for all Nigerians.
However, there is the need to ensure that all states in Nigeria are economically viable. The present situation in which only two states in the country are said to be economically viable is a disincentive to state creation. We should not continue to have weak states that are only appendages to the Federal Government, and relying on the centre for handouts to meet their obligations. The further atomization of governance in the country will also definitely increase the cost of bureaucracy as more money will go into the payment of more political office holders.
The challenge that this poses is for the states to strive to become stronger, develop their economic potentials and generate sufficient internal revenue to meet their obligations.
Already, many of the existing states have failed in doing this. These states and the ones to be created will, therefore, need to get their acts together and build their economies to justify and sustain their existence.
Good enough, the confab recommended that each of the new states must have one natural or solid mineral. Let all states develop, within their domain, economic activities that can sustain them. They should not continually depend on the federal government for survival.
While we welcome the creation of more states because it will help to correct the structural imbalances in the federation and satisfy some peculiar needs, it is necessary to point out that true federalism based on the six geopolitical zonal structure would have been ideal for the Nigerian situation as it would significantly reduce the high cost of running the various governments.
Be that as it may, the bottom line is that the federating units, whether six zones or 54 states, should be able to contribute to national development. They ought to be able to bring something to the centre, and not just take.
Having our states dependent on monthly federal allocations from Abuja is not the best way to run a federal government. The oil resource that is sustaining the current 36 states is a fast depleting resource that will dry up one day. The simple truth is that the extant Nigerian money pot, crude oil, cannot last forever. All the states in the country should, therefore, brace up for the challenges ahead and develop the natural and human resources in their domain.
The human capital of every state must also be developed. Most advanced countries of the world do not depend on natural resources for their development. Rather, they depend on their human capital. Nigeria should do likewise and stop the overdependence on oil or any other natural resource. There is the need to diversify the economy. The mono-product economy that we have is not helpful to sustainable socio-economic development.
Every state should be made to be self-sustaining. They should improve their tax administration systems. Some countries are run based on efficient tax systems. Nigerians need a new attitude to taxation and development. All states should also explore and tap their agricultural potentials.
Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy of many countries. It has sustained Nigeria before and can still do so if our potentials in the sector are judiciously harnessed.
The confab, however, recommended that each of the 18 new states must be viable and have, at least, one natural mineral or solid resource. If the 18 states are eventually created, it will bring the number of states in the country to 54.
We laud the confab decision on the creation of additional states in the country. The resolution is largely a response to the plethora of demands for more states by different interest groups across the country. There is no doubt that the exercise will substantially address the problem of marginalization of some groups, as well as allay some of the fears of domination of some small ethnic groups by larger ones. In a country with diverse ethnic groups like Nigeria, state creation is one sure way of giving more people a sense of belonging. It is a veritable way of addressing the structural imbalances of our skewed federation. Besides, it will bring government and development nearer to people and places which, otherwise, would not see any meaningful development if governance is not brought closer to them.
Again, the increasing population of the country calls for new areas of development, hence the need for creation of more states to satisfy the yearnings of many people in the country. The Nigerian experience has demonstrated that states drive development. There is no doubt that the 36 state capitals are centres of development and economic activities.
Since state creation brings government and development nearer to the grassroots, Nigeria, with a 54-state structure, will further witness the spread of development to more places in the country. This will help to ensure equity and justice for all Nigerians.
However, there is the need to ensure that all states in Nigeria are economically viable. The present situation in which only two states in the country are said to be economically viable is a disincentive to state creation. We should not continue to have weak states that are only appendages to the Federal Government, and relying on the centre for handouts to meet their obligations. The further atomization of governance in the country will also definitely increase the cost of bureaucracy as more money will go into the payment of more political office holders.
The challenge that this poses is for the states to strive to become stronger, develop their economic potentials and generate sufficient internal revenue to meet their obligations.
Already, many of the existing states have failed in doing this. These states and the ones to be created will, therefore, need to get their acts together and build their economies to justify and sustain their existence.
Good enough, the confab recommended that each of the new states must have one natural or solid mineral. Let all states develop, within their domain, economic activities that can sustain them. They should not continually depend on the federal government for survival.
While we welcome the creation of more states because it will help to correct the structural imbalances in the federation and satisfy some peculiar needs, it is necessary to point out that true federalism based on the six geopolitical zonal structure would have been ideal for the Nigerian situation as it would significantly reduce the high cost of running the various governments.
Be that as it may, the bottom line is that the federating units, whether six zones or 54 states, should be able to contribute to national development. They ought to be able to bring something to the centre, and not just take.
Having our states dependent on monthly federal allocations from Abuja is not the best way to run a federal government. The oil resource that is sustaining the current 36 states is a fast depleting resource that will dry up one day. The simple truth is that the extant Nigerian money pot, crude oil, cannot last forever. All the states in the country should, therefore, brace up for the challenges ahead and develop the natural and human resources in their domain.
The human capital of every state must also be developed. Most advanced countries of the world do not depend on natural resources for their development. Rather, they depend on their human capital. Nigeria should do likewise and stop the overdependence on oil or any other natural resource. There is the need to diversify the economy. The mono-product economy that we have is not helpful to sustainable socio-economic development.
Every state should be made to be self-sustaining. They should improve their tax administration systems. Some countries are run based on efficient tax systems. Nigerians need a new attitude to taxation and development. All states should also explore and tap their agricultural potentials.
Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy of many countries. It has sustained Nigeria before and can still do so if our potentials in the sector are judiciously harnessed.
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