Delegates canvass fiscal federalism, new constitution

Delegates at National Conference yesterday canvassed for fiscal federalism and a new constitution for the country. The delegates made the call at plenary while deliberating on President Godluck Jonathan’s inaugural speech on March 17.

Sen. Nimi Barigha-Amange, a Federal Government delegate, called for fiscal federalism to ensure federating units source their funds, develop their states at their pace while paying tax to the centre.

He said a situation where states depended mainly on the federal government was not a reflection of fiscal federalism.

“When a structure is old, we either pull it down or put a new structure or we inject positive ideas,” he said.

“The structure as we see today called Nigeria is faulty

the in the sense that today we call it Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“How federal is Nigeria when the federating unit will come to Abuja every 18th of the month cap in hand begging for allowance from the federal government?”

Another delegate, Annkio Briggs, a delegate representing the Federal Government, said the 1999 constitution was no longer viable considering its inconsistency.

She said it was high time Nigeria had a new constitution that would promote equality and selflessness.

“The constitution of 1999 is no longer acceptable to the people of Nigeria. Therefore, we need a constitution that will be based on justice and brotherhood, not greed for power and selfishness,” she said. (NAN)