Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has called for an urgent review of the revenue allocation in favour of the states and local governments. Tambuwal spoke on Monday in Sokoto, when he opened the 2017 Law Week of the state branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Tambuwal said: “A situation where the Federal Government is now getting more money than the states and local governments should change.
“The formula should therefore be urgently reviewed, so that the states and local governments will get more than what they are getting now.
“This will definitely help them to solve the current economic challenges bedeviling them, as well as execute more people-oriented projects.”
Tambuwal also frowned at the nomination of representatives of the states into federal commissions like the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Federal Character Commission and the National Population Commission, among others.
“Rather than the President nominating such representatives, the states should be allowed to do that, while the state assemblies should clear them.
“This will allow for better representation, as well as ensure equity and equality among the states,” he said.
Tambuwal further suggested that states should be allowed to generate, transmit and distribute power to their people, rather than evacuating it to the national grid.
The governor stated that doing so would enable the states to blossom into industrial hubs, as well as enhance socio-economic development.
Tambuwal promised to ensure the sustenance of the existing cordial relationship between the three arms of government in the state.
“The state government will continue to accord priority to the welfare and independence of the judiciary in the state.”