A cross section of members of the House of Representatives Wednesday led the campaign to grant Lagos, Kano and other states with special economic consideration a special status.
The lawmakers stated this during the debate on the ‘bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Cap. C 23 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 to grant special economic consideration to certain states in Nigeria and other matters related’, sponsored by Babajimi Adegoke Benson, along with Linda Ikpeazu, Danburam Nuhu and Sadiq Ibrahim.
The bill seeks to give deserving Nigerian states the needed support to develop their critical infrastructure and cater for their rising population as occasioned by daily influx of Nigerians, either for business or permanent residency.
“Any state with special economic consideration by this Bill shall be granted 20 percent of all proceeds accruing to the Federal Government from the state to mitigate the pressures of urbanisation, overcrowding and decaying infrastructure thus reviving the economic potentials of such states to contribute significantly to economic prosperity of Nigeria,” Babajimi said during the lead debate.
“In support of Lagos state where I represent, considering that more than twenty five years after it was replaced as the country’s official capital, Lagos remains the economic hub of Nigeria and provides 60 percent of Nigeria’s gross domestic product. The GDP of Lagos State ranks fourth in Africa below Cairo, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. Lagos houses headquarters of national and global companies and the complex business and professional services that support them,” Babajimi noted.
According to the bill, for a state to be eligible for the special economic consideration, it must have a population of over 10 million.
“This consideration, it is believed will contribute to the fulfillment of the cardinal objective of this 8th Assembly Legislative Agenda of enhancing National Economy and Development through legislative initiatives to support infrastructure development and establishing regional hubs of development in each of the six geo-political zones in the country and put this Honourable House at the forefront of achieving over 8 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as agreed by nations of the world, namely; Good Health and Well-being (Goal 1), Quality Education (Goal 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (Goal 4), Affordable and Clean Energy (Goal 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal 6), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (Goal 7) , Sustainable Cities and Communities (Goal 9) and, Climate Action (Goal 11).
“The bill aside being in conformity with global demands, will position Nigeria as a proactive country ready to address the urban challenges of overpopulation, poverty, infrastructure decay and environmental degradation, also cater for the teeming youths who represent 70 percent of our demography.
“What this Bill tends to provide is a platform for even development for every city with 10 million population. These states will in turn be the catalyst for the development of other states. As it is the practice in some countries i.e. India, Malaysia, USA etc, where they make a model of four or five states and they allow the other remaining states to copy. As a matter of fact, during the recent recession in the United States, it took advantage of its big cities to weather the tides.
“This is understandable, because the big cities create the highest number of jobs. It is also interesting to note that whereas most states in the USA return 50 percent revenue generated within to the Federal government, New York and some key states are permitted to return only 18 percent, the remainder is permitted for infrastructure development.
“The Onitsha market in Anambra is the gateway to the Eastern part of this country and remains the biggest river port city in Nigeria. Onitsha has been known fortrading and inflow of people from all regions of Nigeria since the mid-1850s following the abolition of slave trade and should be considered for special benefits that will enhance its economic output and rich potentials.
“In the same vain, the textile, apparel and footwear industry in Kano played dominant role in the manufacturing sector of the Nigerian economy in the 70s and 80s, but today, the textile industry that influenced the inflow to such cities is moribund and require urgent attention that can only be achieved if the States have a sustainable fund dedicated to economic regeneration. Kano State also has the capacity to host more than 10 million Nigerians if given the needed support,” he stressed.
The bill seeks to alter Section 162 sub-section 1 of the Principal Act by inserting immediately after the word “from” the phrase “States with Special Economic Consideration under section 80 of this Constitution”.
And to also amend The Principal Act by creating a new section 80A to read as follows:
Section 80A (1) not withstanding any other provision contained in this Constitution, any State in Nigeria with a population of 10 million people is hereby designated a State with to Special Economic Consideration while 80(2) provides that “any State with special economic consideration shall be granted 20 percent of all proceeds accruing to the Federal Government from the state.
While ruling, Speaker Yakubu Dogara referred it to the Special Adhoc Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Yussuff Lasun for further legislative action.
