I just read in the papers that yet another gas pipeline has been blown up by militants in the Niger Delta ,just like most things in Nigeria- 'we've heard it all before' or like someone would say . . .'here we go again'. The same old story of epileptic power supply yet again.
I have always wondered why we have never taken solar power generation seriously?
We seem to have it in abundance,yet we make little use of it. The over reliance on gas & hydrothermal power generation seems to be the bane of this issue.
Government(federal but especially state) need to take a serious look at this. . . .
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Give each state of the Federation an Oil Block
That most people have been advocating for true federalism for many years is not new,the fact that this idea has many antagonists isn't also new.
The main concern expressed by anagonists of this idea has always been that the non-oil producing states will loose their main(and probably sole) source of revenues,thereby rendering the states coomatose.
I say we resolve this significant concern by giving each non-oil producing state (NOPS)an oil block. They will be resposible for exploration and exploitation and also for the marketing,sales and other associated logistics of dealing in oil.
My guess is the revenues from these 'oil sales' will get closer to the Nigerian people,very much unlike the current inefficiently multi-layered and corrupt system involving the Federal govt and NNPC,PTDF etc. We don't need Abuja to first collect money then distribute,rather,each state should pay taxes,to the communities and the federal government. So when the FG puts together a budget,its based not on an unending pot of oil revenue ,but on identifiable taxes(custom duties,included).
Of course this also means ,most of the responsibilities of the FG will go to the rightful 'owners' of the problem-the states,things like police,roads,schools,hospitals etc.
Cynics mught say,the states would be even more corrupt,well my simple answer is that my state governor is closer to me in Alausa,than some distant figure in Aso Rock ;who would be in a better position to decide whether I should have a primary healthcare centre in my ward ?
The status quo is usually the most comfortable position one can take,lets think outside the box.
The main concern expressed by anagonists of this idea has always been that the non-oil producing states will loose their main(and probably sole) source of revenues,thereby rendering the states coomatose.
I say we resolve this significant concern by giving each non-oil producing state (NOPS)an oil block. They will be resposible for exploration and exploitation and also for the marketing,sales and other associated logistics of dealing in oil.
My guess is the revenues from these 'oil sales' will get closer to the Nigerian people,very much unlike the current inefficiently multi-layered and corrupt system involving the Federal govt and NNPC,PTDF etc. We don't need Abuja to first collect money then distribute,rather,each state should pay taxes,to the communities and the federal government. So when the FG puts together a budget,its based not on an unending pot of oil revenue ,but on identifiable taxes(custom duties,included).
Of course this also means ,most of the responsibilities of the FG will go to the rightful 'owners' of the problem-the states,things like police,roads,schools,hospitals etc.
Cynics mught say,the states would be even more corrupt,well my simple answer is that my state governor is closer to me in Alausa,than some distant figure in Aso Rock ;who would be in a better position to decide whether I should have a primary healthcare centre in my ward ?
The status quo is usually the most comfortable position one can take,lets think outside the box.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)