Stakeholders decry marginalisation of Ekiti in resource allocation

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• Fayemi presents 40 cars to magistrates

PROMINENT indigenes of Ekiti State, including the government, have decried what they described as its marginalisation in resource distribution, saying that despite its huge contribution to the country's economy, Nigeria has given little back to the state.

  Speaking at a sensitisation programme on the proposed review of revenue allocation formula held with officials of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) led by the Commissioner representing Ekiti State, Afolabi Popoola; some of the speakers, including the state governor, Kayode Fayemi, as well as various stakeholders in the state, expressed dismay at the current lopsided allocation formula, which gave lion share to the Federal Government, leaving meagre portion for the state and local governments.

  Governor Fayemi, who noted that the arrangement has hindered development at the level of state and local governments in the country, stated that Ekiti people have given much to the nation in the areas of agriculture and human resources, yet the state is at the bottom of the allocation.

  Fayemi, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Ganiyu Owolabi, explained that in spite of the meagre resources that accrue to the state, the participatory governance and accountability approach of the administration has enabled it leverage the goodwill and cooperation of all stakeholders; leading to the development of the state.

  Elder statesman, Deji Fasuan, urged the commission to always defend the rights of every Nigerian, saying that this right begins with the equitable distribution of resources available to the nation.

  Fasuan noted that the existing vertical revenue formula has proved to be lopsided, inequitable and inappropriate for the country and suggested a vertical allocation formula that gives 40 per cent to the Federal Government, 33 per cent to the state governments and 16 to local governments. He said a re-appraisal is necessary in the horizontal sector to give 65 per cent to equality, 20 per cent to population, 10 per cent to IGR and 5 per cent to social development factor.

  Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Ekiti State chapter and Caretaker Committee Chairman of Efon Local Council, Adio Folayan, affirmed lopsidedness in the 2001 Revenue Allocation formula, saying that there has been much growth in population, infrastructure and other indices, which places more responsibilities on both the state and local governments than the Federal Government that gets the proportional lion share.

  Folayan added that it is not uncommon to see many state governments, including Ekiti, taking over responsibilities, which are abandoned by the Federal Government leading to the Federal Government owing states billions of naira.

  He urged the Federal Government to release funds owed states on federal projects while it also fulfils its responsibilities by taking up its abandoned projects and new ones across the states of the federation.

  Meanwhile, Ekiti State government has presented 40 Ford cars to its magistrates as part of steps to improve their conditions of service.

  Handing out keys of the cars to the magistrates at the premises of the state High Court complex, Ado- Ekiti on yesterday, Governor Fayemi said there are enormous challenges ahead of the judiciary, adding that efforts must be made to protect the integrity of that arm of government so that their work will measure up to the expectations of the citizenry.

  The governor added that it would become more difficult to expect the magistracy to perform optimally and act on some of the outcomes of the retreat held for them in Ikogosi recently if proper attention was not paid to their welfare.

  Fayemi, who said the cars would be of great use to the magistrates, especially those who reside outside the state, urged them to reciprocate government's gesture through improved efficiency and increased access to justice by the ordinary citizens.

  The state Chief Magistrate, Mr. Adesoji Adegboye, was the first to receive the keys to his car, followed by others.

 Earlier, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, had expressed gratitude to the state government for providing the vehicles despite the paucity of funds, adding that the gesture underscored the importance placed on the judiciary by the Fayemi administration.

The Guardian