Jonathan makes case for fiscal federalism …says Wike raises bar in public service

By Titus Agbo

 

Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan yesterday made a case for

fiscal federalism stressing that it was the system that will

facilitate faster development in the country.

The ex-President who stated this Wednesday at the Rivers State Golden

Jubilee lecture emphasized that it is one of the recommendations of

the 2014 National Conference which will allow States to assume control

of the exploitation of their natural resources.

The former President also praised Rivers Governor Barrister Nyeson

Wike saying that his two years of visionary leadership has raised the

bar in public service “with its unprecedented substantial delivery of

social and physical infrastructure, in such a short time.”

Dr. Jonathan also emphasized that the future of African democracy,

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”, he said.

Comparing the activities of intervention Agencies with the mileage

achieved with the13% derivation accruing to some Niger Delta states

Jonathan stressed that the later was more effective in delivering

infrastructure to the people.

He said: “Since democracy is about delivering public good to the

greatest number of citizens, I would also use this opportunity to

reiterate that the system that will work better to facilitate

development in our country is true and fiscal federalism, one of the

recommendations of the 2014 National Conference.  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.

“ My conviction that fiscal federalism will initiate faster

development is born out of a comparison between the intervention

Agencies and the 13% 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% 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.”

Below is the text of the speech:

REMARKS BY FORMER PRESIDENT DR. GOODLUCK JONATHAN ON THE OCCASION OF

RIVERS STATE GOLDEN JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY LECTURE AT DR. OBI WALI

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, PORT HARCOURT, ON 24 MAY 2017

 

Protocol

Let me first thank the great people of Rivers State and their

indefatigable Governor Barrister Nyesom Wike for the invitation and

the honour to be part of this epoch-making event.

2. This is indeed exciting because Rivers State is a home to me. I

spent most of my early years here, having studied and worked here

before I got into politics.

3. But beyond all that, Rivers holds a special significance for many

of us in the Niger Delta because of the common heritage we share in

its rich resources as well as its unique position as the parent State

of Bayelsa. This means we were all from Rivers State until Bayelsa

State was created.

4. Besides, I don’t have to remind the people here that my lovely wife

is a proud daughter of Rivers State!

5. As the Guest of Honour in today’s occasion I am only expected to

make short remarks and then join others to listen to the keynote

speaker do justice to his lecture entitled ‘Democracy and Good

Governance in Nigeria: The case of Rivers State’.

6. But I will then be failing in my duty, if I do not peek into the

pleasant pictures of democracy that has become evident in Rivers

State, in the last couple of years.

7. It is commendable that Governor Nyesom Wike has had this singular

honour of becoming the Golden Jubilee Governor of Rivers State with

the attendant responsibility of conducting the memorable 50th

Anniversary celebrations.

8. I believe that the Governor will be proud to showcase the enormous

milestones attained by Rivers State since its creation in 1967 by the

military administration of Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd).

9. He will even be more confident doing this because his two years of

visionary leadership has raised the bar in public service with its

unprecedented substantial delivery of social and physical

infrastructure, in such a short time.

10. The Governor is now called ‘Mr.Projects’, a pet name that even the

Vice President, now Acting President adopted during his working visit

to the State. This is because of the massive urban renewal plan he is

implementing which has literally transformed the entire Rivers

landscape into a huge construction site.

11. Your Excellency, I am told you achieved that by focusing on

projects that directly impact the lives of our people. By so doing,

you are transforming the fortunes of the State and giving the good

people of River State a good reason to look forward to a brighter

future.

12. I also commend your initiative to launch a 50-year strategic

economic and social development plan for the state, as a means of

consolidating the gains of the develop­ment programmes initiated and

implemented by you and other ad­ministrations.

13. For me this is the essence of democracy; a responsive and

transformational leadership that genuinely listens to the citizens and

strokes them where they itch. It is about devoting more time to the

simple, every day needs of our people which speak to their today and

tomorrow. It is also about resisting the temptation to embark on

wasteful white elephant projects that command bolder headlines in the

media but contribute little or nothing to the developmental needs of

the State.

14. Since democracy is about delivering public good to the greatest

number of citizens, I would also use this opportunity to reiterate

that the system that will work better to facilitate development in our

country is true and fiscal federalism, one of the recommendations of

the 2014 National Conference.  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.

 

 

 

 

 

15. My conviction that fiscal federalism will initiate faster

development is born out of a comparison between the intervention

Agencies and the 13% 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.

16. I believe that without the 13% 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.

17. As a nation, we are doing well in many areas but several issues

continue to agitate our citizens. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. Although there is ample evidence that shows democracy, on a

broader scale, is being consolidated in Africa, there is no doubt that

it will even get better if the will of the people is allowed to

continue to flourish.

21. Anything outside this norm will breed instability, compromise the

peace in the land and promote insecurity as well as endanger the

economy by driving away investments.

22. The fact that the African economy is growing faster now that

democracy has stabilized in the continent shows that democracy and

good governance are key to economic growth and development.

23. The stability achieved since the return of democratic rule to

Nigeria in 1999 encouraged us, during my time, to work hard to grow

our economy, implement far-reaching sectoral reforms, reasonably

reduce inflationary pressure to single digit, and improve and bring

Nigeria up as the biggest economy in Africa, with a GDP of above half

a trillion dollars.

24. I must point out that these achievements would not have been

possible if we did not implement successful electoral reforms which

strengthened our nation’s democratic credentials through free and fair

elections, enhanced stability and boosted global confidence in our

politics and economy.

25. It is reassuring that the new generation of Africans, both the

leaders and the led, are now prepared to make personal sacrifices to

ensure that their respective nations attain greater strides.

26. The realization that we must all fight for sustainable growth and

development through the enthronement of political stability, rooted in

transparent elections and peaceful transitions is good for our

continent.  I always advocate that if Africa cannot go to the moon for

now, we should at least conduct elections that our people will be

proud of.

27. In closing, I want to point out that without credible elections,

there will be no functional democracy. A flawed electoral process can

only produce a pseudo democracy at best. My belief is that a leading

country like Nigeria, in Africa, must practice democracy, and not

pseudo democracy.

27. This is because the roadmap for Africa’s advancement lies in its

ability to develop stable states supported by strong institutions.

28. Let me then end my remarks by again thanking the good people and

Governor of Rivers State for the opportunity to be part of this

historic event and to also wish everyone a fulfilling Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebrations.