Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has harped on the need for the country to practice federalism in its true sense, with a belief that the ongoing National Conference would help correct the ills of the form of government in the country.
Dr. Uduaghan while speaking at the 2014 Law Week of the Warri Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA), praised the association for constructively drawing Government’s attention to critical issues devoid of sycophancy.
He commended the NBA on the theme of its week, ” Federalism, Democracy and Leadership in Nigeria, ” lamented that federalism as currently practised in Nigeria was a far departure from the tenets and principles as enunciated by the proponents of the concept.
The Governor observed that there have been questions as to: is there federalism, what is true federalism? Is there true federalism or there is no true federalism? Is there a federalism that is false? Admitting that all sort of definitions have been given to the term federalism.
He stated that if Nigeria agrees to practise federalism, then it must be practiced to the fore as defined, adding that for now the country is yet to come to terms with true meaning of federalism.
Governor Uduaghan commended President Goodluck Jonathan for providing a window of opportunity to address the problems of the Nigerian Federation through the ongoing National Conference.
He disclosed that Delta State has submitted a memorandum to the conference , expressing the hope that it would help address the imbalance and distortions in the federation.
The Governor singled out the NBA for constructively drawing Government’s attention to critical issues devoid of the usual sycophancy, describing the trend as a great support to his administration.
He commended the NBA for buying into his administration’s ongoing clean up of urban towns in the State, promising to maintain the tempo till the end of his tenure without wavering.
Dr. Uduaghan explained that his administration was stepping up efforts at its infrastructure development programme, especially in the Warri area, adding that the Ubeji and Jedo Roads among others were slated for dualization to ease free movement.
The Governor assured that military road blocks in Warri and environs that have outlived their usefulness would be immediately dismantled while those at strategic locations are to be removed gradually.
Chairman of the Warri branch of the NBA, Ben Oji had in his address drawn the attention of the State Government to a number of issues , including security, infrastructural development, and funding of the judiciary.
Delta State Government Press Release
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