Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has called for an increase in the derivation fund for oil producing states in Nigeria from 13 percent to not less than 25 percent.
The Governor made the demand while declaring open the zonal public hearing on the 1999 constitutional review holding in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The call for an increase in the derivation fund was part of other demands made by the Governor which should be considered in the constitutional amendment process.
Governor Wike who was represented by his deputy, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, also called for the establishment of state police as well as the powers for state to create and manage local government areas.
He said, “We therefore need a constitution that will address the lingering issues including but not limited to the following; devolution of power from the centre to the states, fiscal federalism, creating of state police, strengthening of the electoral system, increasing the derivation funds to not less than 25% , allowing states to create and sustain local government councils and reducing the cost of governance”.
The Governor also noted that “no one is under the illusion that the present constitution does not meet the minimum conditions that can keep the multicultural and mutually suspicious nationalities together. No one is deceived that the present constitution annihilate minority societies, justifies provocative exploitation of the People’s resources, and gives greater resources to a gluttonous federal government to the detriment of the states and the local government areas”.
The Governor further called on the National Assembly members to ensure a constitution that promotes the sense of belonging of every Nigerian.
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