News
S’South Govs Canvass New Revenue Formula
The governors of the six South-South states, have called for the restructuring and unbundling of the Federal Government’s existing revenue sharing formula.
They said that the “shedding of weight” at the federal level would give states in the federation more powers and responsibilities.
The governors added that more funds would be needed by the states and local governments for developmental programmes.
In a communiqué at the end of the second South-South Economic Summit in Asaba, Delta, last Saturday, the governors said that the new structure would leave the Federal Government to handle issues of security.
The communiqué was signed by Governors Seriake Dickson, Chibuike Amechi, Godswill Akpabio, Liyel Imoke, Adams Oshiomohle and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta, respectively.
In the 13-point communiqué, read by Mr Joe Keshi, Director-General of the BRACED Commission, the governors urged the Federal Government to urgently address the problems of power and energy in the country.
According to the communiqué, the federation should be restructured and unbundled including the review of the current revenue allocation formula, to give more powers, responsibilities and funding to the states and LGAs as centres of growth.
It said that the nascent governance structure in the region should incorporate private sector and other non-state actors with a view to creating favourable policy, legal and regulatory environment.
“This will stimulate greater private sector participation in the development initiatives of the region,’’ it said.
The communiqué also called for the review of current policies and regulations on power and gas to enable the states generate, transmit and distribute power to complement the efforts of the Federal Government.
The communiqué said that the summit accepted the development of a Niger Delta Energy Corridor, noting that the project had the potentials for connecting the people, industry and natural resources and creating jobs.
It said that the summit would accelerate the implementation of agriculture development initiatives as the region’s priority focal area to complement the Federal Government’s transformation agenda on Agriculture.
The summit, it stated, also planned to develop integrated transport facilities in the region, through a balanced development of rail, roads, waterways and airport facilities.
According to the communiqué, the region would also partner the Federal Government and the private sector in the development of the Lagos-Calabar railway lines project.
It called for urgent completion of the East-West highway.
The communiqué added that the BRACED Commission had been directed to translate the recommendations of the summit into a measurable and achievable plan of action and to engage the appropriate stakeholders.
It expressed appreciation to everyone who participated in the programme and urged the governors to continue to show their exemplary leadership and commitment to good governance.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 6,000 people participated in the South-South Economic Summit which ended on Saturday in Asaba.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, said that the number of participants recorded at the summit was 300 per cent more than the organising committee’s projection of 2,000 persons.
On hitches over registration of participants which led to a stampede and made most persons to attend without identification tags for the period, he attributed it to refusal of people to register online ahead of the summit.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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