In Support of New States
State are important component units in any nation that operates Federal System of Government. Thus states made up a federal system, and they are essential because of their socio-economic and political contributions towards the growth of a nation.
In Nigeria, states creation is not a new thing, as several successive governments created states. Military administrations are well known for creating states in Nigeria. Today Nigeria has 36 states.
During the second republic under the leadership of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the issue of states creation came up, where every legislator from the national needed a state. Then no fewer than fifty four (54) states were demanded for, but unfortunately it was very difficult for the Alhaji Shagari/Ekwueme administration to create the states.
Last week, the ongoing National confab has approved the creation of eighteen (18) new states. This is a welcome development. In as much as we support the creation of additional states in Nigeria, we will advice that any state that will be created must be economically viable.
Most of the existing states are not viable as they find it very painful to pay staff salary and execute projects. Such state always waits for allocation from the Federation purse to rescue them from their financial difficulties. On their own they produce no mineral and natural resources. Their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is less than 0.5%.
Beside the economic non-valiability of some of these states, the state governors do not also help matters, as they siphon funds meant for the development of their states to their private bank accounts which in turn impoverish the citizenry.
We believe strongly that if the right thing is to be done the proposed states will contribute to the national growth and integration. ###
