Yuguda advocates equal revenue allocation to states

Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda has advocated equal allocation of resources to all the states of the federation  to ensure even development  of  the nation.

Yuguda said this  during a lecture he delivered in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State  on Thursday  at a proramme organised by the National Coalition of Yoruba Youth Summit.

The summit had in  attendance  the chairman of NCYYS, Mr. Wale Ayeni;   Senior Special Assistant on Youth and Student Matters to the President, Mr. Jude Imagwe;  former Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Taofeek Abdulsalam,  among other dignitaries.

Yuguda, who was represented by  the Bauchi State Commissioner  for Youths and Sports, Alhaji Mohammed  Lasisi,  spoke on 'Nigeria at 100:  True Federalism, a Panacea for the Nation's Corporate Existence'.

He stated that equal allocation of the nation's resources   to states would also stop conflicts and enhance  a  sense of belonging  among the federating units.

The governor  lamented  that the development of Nigeria was being impeded by corruption, ethnicity and disproportionate allocation of the nation's resources which he said was largely in favour of the Federal Government.

These, according to him, are militating against   development in states and local government councils.

Yuguda said, "With the review of resource allocation through a review of the revenue allocation formula on the principle of equity, the devolution of power should also follow. To this end, items on the Exclusive and Concurrent Legislative lists should be reviewed to the extent that the Federal Government would be left with the responsibilities on matters of defence, external affairs, currency, internal security and immigration.

"Most of the items on the Concurrent list like education, health, agriculture, environment, water, etc could be devolved to the states with the concomitant effect on the local governments."



Punch