State Creation, No Solution To N’Delta Problems – Okocha

Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief O.C.J Okocha has said that the agitation for the creation of more states and local government in the Niger Delta would not bring the desired solution to the problems of the region.

Okocha, who made the assertion at The Tide Roundtable, a weekly personality interview programme of The Tide in Port Harcourt said that agitations would lead to the fragmentation of the region into smaller units that would further reduce its revenue.

“I think that the principle is that, you made more progress if you are a strong entity.

‘The smaller you are the more marginalized you become, the less revenue you would be getting and the less ability you have, because issues of marginalization will continue to arise” he said.

He said that what the Niger Delta needs is more money for development, “ the more states you create, the lower percentage the state will get. What is needed is more money to the region”.

Chief Okocha reiterated the call for a return to fiscal federalism, arguing that, once that was done, the agitation for the creation of more states would not only cease but some states would on their own cease to exist.

Speaking on the state of the Nigerian police, the former NBA president called for its overhaul, as the institution has lost its focus.

According to him, members of the police force need to be properly trained and motivated , while the force needs to be properly equipped.

Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Hon Magnus Abe (left) and Commissioner for Transport, Hon George Tolofari, during the commissioning of NAHCO Warehouse at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa. Photo:Ike