RVHA Joins Calls For True Federalism

The Rivers State House of Assembly has joined other Nigerians to advocate  for  true federalism in the country.

The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Leyii Kwanee made the position known, recently in Port Harcourt in a chat with Assembly correspondents on arrival from Asaba Delta State where he attended a workshop organised by Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

Hon. Kwanee, who represented the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree at the zonal workshop, said the present federalism is defective and described it as a “feeding bottle” federalism which does not meet the yearnings of Nigerians.

The lawmaker said the theme of the advocacy workshop: “Economic Diversification and Enhanced Revenue Generation,” was apt as the over dependence on oil resources portends danger for the country should oil gets dry up.

He posited that Nigeria is richly endowed with several other resources scattered in various parts of the country and the potentials to harness them equally exist except in political will to venture into them.

According to him, “if the oil finishes today, what shall we go to Abuja to share?” the lawmaker declared, noting that the dwindling revenue coming from oil should give well meaning Nigerians cause for concern.

The Deputy Speaker also acknowledged signing the communiqué which seeks to increase the derivation from 13 to 50 per cent for the oil producing states to cushion the effect of oil exploration and exploitation.