Former President Goodluck Jonathan says recommendations of the 2014
National Conference organised by his administration will solve many of
Nigeria’s problems.
He spoke at the Rivers State 50th year anniversary in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Jonathan insisted that fiscal federalism was the system that would develop Nigeria.
“This will allow states to assume control of the exploitation of
their natural resources and mandate them to pay adequate taxes to the
Federal Government,” he said.
”My conviction that fiscal federalism will initiate faster
development is borne out of a comparison between the intervention
Agencies and the 13 percent derivation.
”From the days of Special Funds, through OMPADEC to now NDDC, the
Federal Government has provided funds for the development of the oil
bearing communities but very little physical infrastructure to show for
it.
“This is so because these bodies are highly political and lack
continuity as tenures are hardly completed. New Federal Government
administrations appoint new teams who award new contracts hence the zone
is littered with abandoned projects.
“I believe that without the 13 percent derivation, action governors
like Wike would not have the capital to drive his ambitious
developmental projects. With fiscal federalism, the pace of development
will be even faster.
“Our people want us to improve on the way we govern ourselves. That
was why in 2014 I set up the National Conference to examine the grey
areas and proffer viable options that will accelerate our political,
social and economic development.
“I am convinced that implementation of the Report will help resolve some of the problems in our country.
“It is also my conviction that the future of democracy, not only in
Nigeria but across the entire continent of Africa, lies in putting the
people first.
”This will entail not only working to improve their lives but also
respecting their rights to freely chose who to represent them, without
let or hindrance.
“That way, they will be able to wrap their hope and future around the
certainty of the declaration that real power belongs to them, and that
the maxim of one man one vote is not just mere platitude”, he added.
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