Constitution Review: Bayelsa Seeks Additional 25 LGAs, Fiscal Federalism

Bayelsa State has demanded the creation of 25 more local government areas (LGAs) in addition to the eight currently in place, bringing the number to 33 councils.

It also proposed fiscal federalism, the establishment of state police, and electoral and judicial reforms.

The state’s attorney-general and commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), presented the state’s position at the ongoing public hearing organised by the South-South Centre A (comprising Bayelsa, Delta and Edo) of the House of Representatives’ Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa over the weekend.

Dambo said the creation of new councils in the state had become necessary as the extant LGAs were overpopulated, with some having more than 150 communities.

The state government asserted that it had the resources to fund the proposed councils, which the House of Assembly created in line with Section 8(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The state’s demands were contained in a statement issued yesterday by the chief press secretary to the governor, Daniel Alabrah.

In proposing the restructuring of the country based on the principles of fiscal federalism, Bayelsa canvassed full control of all natural resources located onshore and offshore the federating states and that 40 per cent tax be paid to the federal government while states retain 60 per cent of the revenue from their resources.

The government averred that the establishment of state police would strengthen states’ capacity to fight crime and provide adequate security.

It noted that the agitation for state police was in the spirit of true federalism and that Nigeria was ripe for state policing.

The state further demanded a review of the local government system and local government autonomy, a review of the exclusive and legislative list, electoral reforms to strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission and judicial reforms.

Earlier, the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, said the cornerstone of any robust democracy was the citizens’ fundamental right to amend the constitution, which laid the foundation of their governance.

He stated that a review of the Constitution ensures that it is not a static document, but rather a dynamic instrument that evolves in response to the changing needs and aspirations of the populace.

The governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori was represented at the event by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, and his Edo State counterpart, Senator Monday Okpebolo, was represented by the attorney-general and commissioner for justice, Samson Osagie.

They expressed support for the constitution review exercise, which they said would address the flaws and fill the gaps in the existing Constitution.

The chairman of the South-South Centre A Committee and majority leader of the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said every document submitted would be reviewed and presented to the full Constitution Review Committee before it would be presented on the floor of the House.