Okowa: Nigeria needs a new structure, not modification.

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and PDP chieftain has mentioned Nigeria wanted a new structure, as in opposition to the modification of the operational 1999 Constitution (as emended) to accommodate rising points of excellent governance for the higher curiosity of all Nigerians. The acknowledged this when Senate Sub-Committee on evaluate of 1999 Constitution met yesterday in Asaba, the state capital.
Okowa, who expressed concern over the structure, saying that a new structure for the nation had grow to be vital in view of inherent flaws within the 1999 Constitution.

He, subsequently, advocated the insertion of a clause to pave approach for a rewritten structure, which might proceed to be in operation till a contemporary one was prepared.

“No doubt, there may be nonetheless a lot to work on in our structure to have a close to excellent doc and I do know that the National Assembly has continued over time to make sure a few of the amendments.

“It’s ok that these despatched listed below are acquainted with the zone. So, when the individuals communicate, they might perceive.

“But, I additionally wished that some individuals from different zones truly had the chance to return right here and listen to the voices of our individuals instantly, as a result of typically we do not perceive the extent of the pains that the Niger Delta individuals actually undergo within the nation.

“We believe in one country and in the unity of Nigeria, but we will continue to ask for equity as a people, and I know that the people will give their opinion at the public hearing,” he acknowledged.

The governor urged the National Assembly to rethink energy devolution to the states, evaluate income allocation formulation, oil derivation and state police within the modification to allow Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to offer income allocation formulation proposal to instantly earlier than the lawmakers.

He lamented that the income allocation formulation had not been reviewed for the final 24 years, whereas it was speculated to be reviewed each 5 years.

Okowa famous that oil-producing states had continued to battle for the 13 per cent derivation fund, including that oil was a losing asset, whereas the atmosphere the place it was being extracted had continued to be polluted and degraded.

Senator James Manager, who led the committee, mentioned the Committee, which comprised senators from Edo, Bayelsa and Delta, visited the state for a two-day public listening to on the modification of the 1999 Constitution. He mentioned aside from non secular books, the structure was an important e-book in any nation.

“The National Assembly alone cannot amend the constitution, because it involves states’ Houses of Assembly and other stakeholders. The document is never a perfect one and therefore, amendments are inevitable from time to time and fine tuned to reflect current realities,” he added.