‘Anti-Graft War Should Address Imbalances In Nigeria’s Federalism’

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George, has stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government should extend its anti-corruption campaign beyond financial corruption to addressing the structural imbalances that characterize Nigerian federalism.
Speaking as a special guest on ‘View Point’, a current affairs programme of Rhythm 93.7 FM, in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Tam-George noted that Nigeria was yoked under both structural and financial corruption.
He said the defects in the Nigerian federal structure have made the system not to respond to the imperatives of justice.
According to the commissioner, in a proper federalism practiced by other developed countries of the world, the component units are entitled to a fair share of control of their resources.
The commissioner, however, noted that in Nigeria, the federal structure is skewed in such a way that the component units exist as appendages of the Federal Government.
Tam-George opined that such a system that robs the federating units of a fair share of their natural resources was unsuitable for a diverse country like Nigeria.
The commissioner said the call for the restructuring of the Nigerian federal system was not a revolutionary demand but in conformity with the principles of true federalism and natural justice.
Commenting on the development policies of the Chief Nyesom Wike-led administration in Rivers State, Tam-George said the government was premised on a one cardinal agenda, which is development of all parts of Rivers State.
The commissioner also stated that an information blue-print has been modeled in the state to ensure that Rivers people are properly informed of the development policies of government.
He said the government was ready to integrate the inputs of critical stakeholders, such as civil society organizations, professional bodies, the youth, traditional institution, among others, into the development process.
The commissioner also hinted that the administration will take governance to the grassroots by conducting town hall meetings at the 23 local government areas of the state, and engaging the social media to reach out to the geographically disaggregated audience who do not depend on the traditional media for information.
Tam-George also emphasized that the administration will not politicize development in the state, but remain committed to the delivery of quality service to Rivers people.

Taneh Beemene

Permanent Secretary, FCT, Dr Babatude Ajakaiye (right), inaugurating the Inner Southern Expressway also known as Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Expressway in Abuja on Friday. With him are the Director of Mass Housing, Federal Capital Development Authority, Mr Umar Jubrin, Director of Engineering, Alhaji Abu Adamu and other officials of the FCT Administration.