Proponents for the creation of additional states say it will correct some imbalances that existed in state creation and give marginalised ethnicities a sense of belonging. EDEGBE ODEMWINGIE queries the justification of the clamour in view of current realities that some existing states can barely sustain themselves.
For the records, a majority of the states are highly indebted. Yobe had $31.8 million (N5.088 billion) in external debt as at June 2013, equivalent to 180 per cent of its internally generated revenue (IGR) for the whole of 2012.
“Even if it takes my last breath, I want to pursue the creation of state. I will put in my last breath to ensure the creation of Apa State for my people,” the Senate president, David Mark stated recently.
He is among several influential Nigerians that have fiercely advocated for the creation of more states. The recently concluded National Conference called for the creation of 18 more states to bring the total in Nigeria to 54. Apa, which is expected to be carved out of the present Benue State and made up of largely Idoma ethnicity, is one of the proposed states.
Of course, opponents for the creation of more states say the existing ones can barely be sustained, so who needs 18 new states? The only viable states in the country as opined in some quarters, are the nine oil producing states and Lagos State. According to them, with only 10 out of the 36 states being viable, the remaining 26 states are regarded as parasites on the 10 viable states and the federal government.
Proponents of the proposed new states boast of proven resources that will make them viable. But for now, those resources remain just potential. The present over-dependence on oil revenues, low internally generated revenue in most states, revenue sharing drawbacks and high recurrent expenditures are realities the country is presently trying to grapple with.
Based on the present revenue sharing formula, the federal government gets 52.68 per cent; the states get 26.72 percent, while the 774 local governments get 20.60 percent. So, without contributing anything to the federation account, the states and 774 local governments receive 26.72 and 20.60 percent from the federation account respectively.
A public affairs analyst, Victor Anya, says a combination of the revenue sharing drawbacks and high recurrent expenditures have left many states in a “vegetative” state.
“All the states now engage in profligate yearly, leaving very little revenues for capital expenditure, which is the backbone of development. For instance, what is the relevance of private jets being acquired by governors for their states? Can we compare private jets with good roads, functional hospitals, quality education, adequate power supply, etc?” Anya posed.
Last year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released data on the internally generated revenue profiles for Nigeria’s 36 states between 2010 and 2012.
An analysis by BusinessDay on states’ IGR profile shows that southern Nigeria continued to show dominance in terms of economic activity. The oil producing states also featured prominently in the top ten in terms of states with the largest share of IGR.
Northern Nigeria’s poor showing continued to be a concern. Eight of the least ten states in terms of IGR are from northern Nigeria, including Yobe and Borno which are mostly bearing the brunt of the current insurgency, while none featured in the top ten.
Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial capital, led the pack for IGR by a wide margin, while Yobe had the least for 2012. While Lagos is 7 times more populated than Yobe, its N219.2 billion IGR in 2012 is 123 times that of Yobe State’s IGR of N1.78 billion.
Nigeria’s oil producing states ramped up their capacity for IGR, perhaps due to the increased economic activity that oil and gas production provided. Five of the top ten states with the highest IGR were oil producers, including Rivers, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
An analysis of the data to see the regional champions showed that for the south west region, Lagos led with N219.2 billion, south south: Rivers N66.2 billion, south east: Ebonyi N14 billion, north central: Benue N8.4 billion, north west: Kaduna N11.5 billion, and north east: Adamawa N4.6 billion.
The regional analysis for state IGR showed that states like Kano, Anambra, Abia and Borno underperformed in their respective regions as their relatively high GDP and commercial nature failed to translate into tax revenues for the state governments.
Only 3 states generated tax revenues of above N1,000 per head and these were Lagos (population, 20 million) with IGR per capita of N10, 851, Rivers (population,.6.1 million) with IGR per capita of N3,280 and Delta (population 4.8 million) : IGR per capita of N2,258.
A majority of the states were also highly indebted. Yobe had $31.8 million (N5.088 billion) in external debt as at June 2013, equivalent to 180 percent of its IGR for the whole of 2012.
For now, the 2014 National Conference has recommended the creation of additional 18 new states. They are: Apa from Benue, Edu from Niger, Kainji from Kebbi State, Katagum from Bauchi, Savannah from Borno, Amana from Adamawa, Gurara from Kaduna, Ghari from Kano, Ekiti from South East, Aba from Abia, Adada from Enugu, Njaba from Anambra and Imo, Oil River from Rivers State, Anioma for Delta State, Ogoja from Cross River State, Ijebu from Ogun State, Ose State from Edo, New Oyo State from the present Oyo State.
Proposed States In Detail
Edu State
For the proposed Edu State, which is to be created out of the present Niger State, it will be made up of Agaie, Bida North, Edati, Agbakoba, Katcha, Lapai, Labun and Mokwa local governments.
Apa State
Apa State is proposed to be removed from the present Benue State and made up of Agatu, Apa, Otukpo, Oju, Obi, Ohimini, Okpokwu and of Badigbo local government areas.
Kainji State
If Kainji State is created, it will be from the present Kebbi and Niger states and it will be made up of Danko/Wasagu, Fakai, Zuru, Shanga, Sakaba, Nhaski, Yauri, Rijau, Mariga, Magama, Kontagora, Agwara, Borgo and Mashefu local governments.
Katagun State
For the proposed Katagun State, which is recommended to be created out of Bauchi State, it will be made up of Gamasa, Daman, Misau, Giade, Shira, Jama’re, Itas/Gadau, Zaki and Azare.
Savanna State
Savanna State, as recommended, will be from the present Borno State and it will be made up of Gwoza, Chibok, Askira/Uba, Biu, Hawul, Shani, Kwaya-Kusar, Bayo and Damboa local governments.
Amana State
Amana State is expected to be created from Adamawa State from Maiha, Mubi North, Mubi South, Hong, Michika and Madagali local government areas.
Gurara State
The conference also recommended that Gurara State be created out of Kaduna State, with Sanga, Jama’a, Jaba, Kargako, Kaura, Zango Kataf, Kachia, Kajuru, Chikun, Lere local governments as constituent parts.
Ghari State
If Ghari is created from Kano State, it will be made up of the following local governments:Bagwai, Bixhi, Dawakin Tofa, Dambatta, Gwarzo, Kabo, Kunchi, Makoda, Rimin Gado, Shanono, Tofa and Tsanyawa.
Etiti State
It will consist of Orumba North, Orumba South, Agwu, Animi, Oji River, Ivo, Afikpo North/South, Okigwe, Onuimo, Ehime Mbano, Umunneochi and Isiukwuato local government areas.
Aba State
The proposed Aba State will have its capital in Aba town, which is part of the present Abia State. It is expected to be made up of Isiala, Isiala Ngwa South, Obingwa, Aba South, Ugwunagbo, Aba North, Ukwa West, Ukwa East and Osisioma Ngwa local governments.
Adada State
Adada State, which is expected to be created from the present Enugu State, will have its capital in Nsukka. It will consist of Igbo-Etiti, Igbo-Eze North, Igbo-Eze South, Isibor-Uzochukwu, Nsukka, Udenu and Uzo-Uwani.
Njaba/Anim State
Njaba/Anim State is recommended to be created from Imo and Anambra states. Local governments expected to be under it are Orlu, Orau, Oru East, Oru West, Ohaji/Egbema, Ogut! Njaba, Isu, Nwangele, Mkwere, Ideato Nirth, Ideato South and Ihiala.
New Oyo State
Local governments that are expected to be part of New Oyo State from the present Oyo State are Irepo, Olorunsogo, Oorelope, Saki East, Saki West, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, Iseyin, Afijio, Oyo East, Atiba, Ogoja Oluwa, Surulere, Ogbomosho North, Ogbomosho South and Orire.
Ijebu State
The proposed Ijebu State from the present Ogun State will have its capital in Ijebu-Ode, and will be made up of the following local government areas: Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-North East, Ogun Waterside, Odogbolu, Ijebu East, Shagamu, Ikenne and Remo North.
Ogoja State
Ogoja State, which is expected to be carved out of the present Cross River State, will have its capital in Ogoja. It will be made up of Bekwarra, Bokki, Etung, Ikom, Obanliku, Obubra, Obudu, Ogoja and Yala local government areas.
Anioma State
Anioma State is to be created from Delta State. It will also have its capital in Asaba if the proposal scales through. Local government areas expected to be under it are Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North-East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South and Ukwaani.
Thursday 18 September 2014
Who Needs 18 New States?
Proponents for the creation of additional states say it will correct some imbalances that existed in state creation and give marginalised ethnicities a sense of belonging. EDEGBE ODEMWINGIE queries the justification of the clamour in view of current realities that some existing states can barely sustain themselves.
For the records, a majority of the states are highly indebted. Yobe had $31.8 million (N5.088 billion) in external debt as at June 2013, equivalent to 180 per cent of its internally generated revenue (IGR) for the whole of 2012.
“Even if it takes my last breath, I want to pursue the creation of state. I will put in my last breath to ensure the creation of Apa State for my people,” the Senate president, David Mark stated recently.
He is among several influential Nigerians that have fiercely advocated for the creation of more states. The recently concluded National Conference called for the creation of 18 more states to bring the total in Nigeria to 54. Apa, which is expected to be carved out of the present Benue State and made up of largely Idoma ethnicity, is one of the proposed states.
Of course, opponents for the creation of more states say the existing ones can barely be sustained, so who needs 18 new states? The only viable states in the country as opined in some quarters, are the nine oil producing states and Lagos State. According to them, with only 10 out of the 36 states being viable, the remaining 26 states are regarded as parasites on the 10 viable states and the federal government.
Proponents of the proposed new states boast of proven resources that will make them viable. But for now, those resources remain just potential. The present over-dependence on oil revenues, low internally generated revenue in most states, revenue sharing drawbacks and high recurrent expenditures are realities the country is presently trying to grapple with.
Based on the present revenue sharing formula, the federal government gets 52.68 per cent; the states get 26.72 percent, while the 774 local governments get 20.60 percent. So, without contributing anything to the federation account, the states and 774 local governments receive 26.72 and 20.60 percent from the federation account respectively.
A public affairs analyst, Victor Anya, says a combination of the revenue sharing drawbacks and high recurrent expenditures have left many states in a “vegetative” state.
“All the states now engage in profligate yearly, leaving very little revenues for capital expenditure, which is the backbone of development. For instance, what is the relevance of private jets being acquired by governors for their states? Can we compare private jets with good roads, functional hospitals, quality education, adequate power supply, etc?” Anya posed.
Last year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released data on the internally generated revenue profiles for Nigeria’s 36 states between 2010 and 2012.
An analysis by BusinessDay on states’ IGR profile shows that southern Nigeria continued to show dominance in terms of economic activity. The oil producing states also featured prominently in the top ten in terms of states with the largest share of IGR.
Northern Nigeria’s poor showing continued to be a concern. Eight of the least ten states in terms of IGR are from northern Nigeria, including Yobe and Borno which are mostly bearing the brunt of the current insurgency, while none featured in the top ten.
Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial capital, led the pack for IGR by a wide margin, while Yobe had the least for 2012. While Lagos is 7 times more populated than Yobe, its N219.2 billion IGR in 2012 is 123 times that of Yobe State’s IGR of N1.78 billion.
Nigeria’s oil producing states ramped up their capacity for IGR, perhaps due to the increased economic activity that oil and gas production provided. Five of the top ten states with the highest IGR were oil producers, including Rivers, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
An analysis of the data to see the regional champions showed that for the south west region, Lagos led with N219.2 billion, south south: Rivers N66.2 billion, south east: Ebonyi N14 billion, north central: Benue N8.4 billion, north west: Kaduna N11.5 billion, and north east: Adamawa N4.6 billion.
The regional analysis for state IGR showed that states like Kano, Anambra, Abia and Borno underperformed in their respective regions as their relatively high GDP and commercial nature failed to translate into tax revenues for the state governments.
Only 3 states generated tax revenues of above N1,000 per head and these were Lagos (population, 20 million) with IGR per capita of N10, 851, Rivers (population,.6.1 million) with IGR per capita of N3,280 and Delta (population 4.8 million) : IGR per capita of N2,258.
A majority of the states were also highly indebted. Yobe had $31.8 million (N5.088 billion) in external debt as at June 2013, equivalent to 180 percent of its IGR for the whole of 2012.
For now, the 2014 National Conference has recommended the creation of additional 18 new states. They are: Apa from Benue, Edu from Niger, Kainji from Kebbi State, Katagum from Bauchi, Savannah from Borno, Amana from Adamawa, Gurara from Kaduna, Ghari from Kano, Ekiti from South East, Aba from Abia, Adada from Enugu, Njaba from Anambra and Imo, Oil River from Rivers State, Anioma for Delta State, Ogoja from Cross River State, Ijebu from Ogun State, Ose State from Edo, New Oyo State from the present Oyo State.
Proposed States In Detail
Edu State
For the proposed Edu State, which is to be created out of the present Niger State, it will be made up of Agaie, Bida North, Edati, Agbakoba, Katcha, Lapai, Labun and Mokwa local governments.
Apa State
Apa State is proposed to be removed from the present Benue State and made up of Agatu, Apa, Otukpo, Oju, Obi, Ohimini, Okpokwu and of Badigbo local government areas.
Kainji State
If Kainji State is created, it will be from the present Kebbi and Niger states and it will be made up of Danko/Wasagu, Fakai, Zuru, Shanga, Sakaba, Nhaski, Yauri, Rijau, Mariga, Magama, Kontagora, Agwara, Borgo and Mashefu local governments.
Katagun State
For the proposed Katagun State, which is recommended to be created out of Bauchi State, it will be made up of Gamasa, Daman, Misau, Giade, Shira, Jama’re, Itas/Gadau, Zaki and Azare.
Savanna State
Savanna State, as recommended, will be from the present Borno State and it will be made up of Gwoza, Chibok, Askira/Uba, Biu, Hawul, Shani, Kwaya-Kusar, Bayo and Damboa local governments.
Amana State
Amana State is expected to be created from Adamawa State from Maiha, Mubi North, Mubi South, Hong, Michika and Madagali local government areas.
Gurara State
The conference also recommended that Gurara State be created out of Kaduna State, with Sanga, Jama’a, Jaba, Kargako, Kaura, Zango Kataf, Kachia, Kajuru, Chikun, Lere local governments as constituent parts.
Ghari State
If Ghari is created from Kano State, it will be made up of the following local governments:Bagwai, Bixhi, Dawakin Tofa, Dambatta, Gwarzo, Kabo, Kunchi, Makoda, Rimin Gado, Shanono, Tofa and Tsanyawa.
Etiti State
It will consist of Orumba North, Orumba South, Agwu, Animi, Oji River, Ivo, Afikpo North/South, Okigwe, Onuimo, Ehime Mbano, Umunneochi and Isiukwuato local government areas.
Aba State
The proposed Aba State will have its capital in Aba town, which is part of the present Abia State. It is expected to be made up of Isiala, Isiala Ngwa South, Obingwa, Aba South, Ugwunagbo, Aba North, Ukwa West, Ukwa East and Osisioma Ngwa local governments.
Adada State
Adada State, which is expected to be created from the present Enugu State, will have its capital in Nsukka. It will consist of Igbo-Etiti, Igbo-Eze North, Igbo-Eze South, Isibor-Uzochukwu, Nsukka, Udenu and Uzo-Uwani.
Njaba/Anim State
Njaba/Anim State is recommended to be created from Imo and Anambra states. Local governments expected to be under it are Orlu, Orau, Oru East, Oru West, Ohaji/Egbema, Ogut! Njaba, Isu, Nwangele, Mkwere, Ideato Nirth, Ideato South and Ihiala.
New Oyo State
Local governments that are expected to be part of New Oyo State from the present Oyo State are Irepo, Olorunsogo, Oorelope, Saki East, Saki West, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, Iseyin, Afijio, Oyo East, Atiba, Ogoja Oluwa, Surulere, Ogbomosho North, Ogbomosho South and Orire.
Ijebu State
The proposed Ijebu State from the present Ogun State will have its capital in Ijebu-Ode, and will be made up of the following local government areas: Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-North East, Ogun Waterside, Odogbolu, Ijebu East, Shagamu, Ikenne and Remo North.
Ogoja State
Ogoja State, which is expected to be carved out of the present Cross River State, will have its capital in Ogoja. It will be made up of Bekwarra, Bokki, Etung, Ikom, Obanliku, Obubra, Obudu, Ogoja and Yala local government areas.
Anioma State
Anioma State is to be created from Delta State. It will also have its capital in Asaba if the proposal scales through. Local government areas expected to be under it are Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North-East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South and Ukwaani.
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