‘Senate Has Not Voted For State Creation’

The senator representing Rivers West Senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Senator Wilson Ake, says the senate has not voted for state creation in the on-going constitutional amendment.

Speaking at Omoku during last  weekend’s public  forum on the  review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Ake said the issue of state creation depends on the people of  Nigeria.

He, however, said that the Senate will not propose the creation of a state that is economically unviable.

The Senator thanked the people of Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni and Ahoada West Federal constituencies for turning out enmasse for the forum, stressing that the outcome will reflect on how the country will be governed.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Omoku Community Welfare Association, Dr Innocent Masi, has called for the creation of  Rivers State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (RISOPADEC).

Speaking during the forum, Masi said the creation of RISOPADEC is in line with the Act establishing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The elder statesman also condemned the clamour for the creation of more states in the country, ongoing that apart from Lagos, most states in the country arguing survive without allocation from Federal Government.

He also stressed the need for increase in the derivation principles to oil producing states in the country.

Also speaking, the former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ahoada branch, Barrister Chris Amadike thanked the National Assembly for creating opportunities for Nigerians to participate in the constitution review process.