Gov Diri Calls For Proper Fiscal Federalism At Constitution Review Public Hearing
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri says amendment of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should reflect true federalism where the people and states control their resources and pay tax to the Federal Government.
Governor Diri reiterated this point during the House of Representative South South Centre (A) public hearing on the 1999 constitution review held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.
Governor Diri who described the situation where Bayelsa with its huge oil resources contribution to the Federation Account has only eight local government areas compared to some other states with less revenue contribution to the Federal Government having over forty LGAs as injustice, called for proper fiscal federalism.
His words : At the crux of our demands is the firm commitment to the establishment of a Federal system and structure that is genuine, just, equitable, responsive, and demonstrably dedicated to the holistic development of our region and the people of the south south.
We earnestly call for the ratification of historical injustices related to the inequitable allocation of resources alongside the disparity in the creation and distribution of Local Government Areas.
We maintain that states should possess the autonomy and authority to create and manage the number of local government areas commensurate with their own resources thus, enabling decisions that directly response to the needs of their communities.
I don’t belief that the Federal Government should sit in Abuja and create 8 Local Government Areas for Bayelsa and create 44 Local Government elsewhere”, he said.
