The bill scaled through by the skin of its teeth. The Nays were more but were silent. The ayes were fewer but louder.
So, providentially, A bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria cap. C 23 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 to grant Special Economic Consideration to certain states in Nigeria and other matters related thereto, passed second reading of the floor of the House on Wednesday 7th December, 2016.
The piece of legislation with the short title: Special Economic Consideration Act 2016, sponsored by Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson (Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Lagos) and three other lawmakers went to the Special Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of the Constitution, headed by Deputy Speaker,Yussuff Lasun.
The long and short of the bill is captured succinctly in the proposed alteration of Section 80A (1) that states: “notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Constitution, any State in Nigeria with a population of 10,000,000 (Ten Million) people is hereby designated a State with Special Economic Consideration.
(2) Any State with Special Economic Consideration as provided under this section shall be granted 20% of all proceeds accruing to the Federal Government from the state.
Benson while arguing the bill said: “This Bill is a very special Bill. I call it Unity Bill because the Bill is about Nigeria and Nigerians. I call it Unity Bill because it is one bill that if passed, will foster and promote the true meaning and intendment of section 41, sub section 1 of the Constitution which provides that “every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof and no citizen shall be expelled from Nigeria or refuse entry thereto or exit therefrom”.
“This consideration, it is believed, will contribute to the fulfillment of the cardinal objective of this 8th Assembly Legislative Agenda of enhancing National Economy and Development through legislative initiatives to support infrastructure development and establishing regional hubs of development in each of the six geo-political zones in the country and put this Honourable House at the forefront of achieving over 8 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as agreed by nations of the world.”
He named the goals the bill would help to achieve as “Good Health and Well-being (Goal 1), Quality Education (Goal 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (Goal 4), Affordable and Clean Energy (Goal 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal 6), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (Goal 7) , Sustainable Cities and Communities (Goal 9) and, Climate Action (Goal 11).”
So, you might wonder why lawmakers would want to oppose a bill that seeks to give deserving states in Nigeria the needed support to develop their critical infrastructures and cater for their rising population.
It is true that many members thought in their subconscious that the bill would benefit only Lagos State and hence, purposed in their minds to oppose it. But it is a surprise that Benson’s argument nearly didn’t sway them. Lagos State obviously would benefit immensely, but so would other states that put their axe to the grind.
Benson said: “The Onitsha market in Anambra is the gateway to the Eastern part of this country and remains the biggest river port city in Nigeria. Onitsha has been known for trading and inflow of people from all regions of Nigeria since the mid-1850s following the abolition of slave trade and should be considered for special benefits that will enhance its economic output and rich potentials
“In the same vain, the textile, apparel and footwear industry in Kano played dominant role in the manufacturing sector of the Nigerian economy in the 70s and 80s, but today, the textile industry that influenced the inflow to such cities is moribund and require urgent attention that can only be achieved if the state has a sustainable fund dedicated to economic regeneration. Kano State also has the capacity to host more than 10 million Nigerians if given the needed support.
“Let me also add few words in support of Lagos State where I represent, considering that more than twenty five years after it was replaced as the country’s official capital, Lagos remains the economic hub of Nigeria and provides 60 per cent of Nigeria’s gross domestic product. The GDP of Lagos State ranks fourth in Africa below Cairo, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. Lagos houses headquarters of national and global companies and the complex business and professional services that support them,
“Despite the revenue and ambiance contributed to Nigeria, poverty and social exclusion remains a major challenge because of the decay in infrastructure as occasioned by over population and urbanization.
“The good that can be done in this regard, Mr. Speaker, honourable colleagues is to be compassionate to all the states serving as a melting point of our nation’s heterogeneous nature.”
The lawmaker states that going by the data from the National Population Commission (NPC), which puts Nigeria’s current population at 182 million, using an annual growth rate of 3.5 percent from the 2006 census figure, with more than half this figure under 30 years of age, it is a matter of time before major cities in Nigeria are faced with uncontrollable mass urban migration if coordinated efforts are not initiated now to provide for such bulge.