By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
A Bauchi based Politician and Traditional Titleholder, (Dangiwan Dass and Masun Lere) in Bauchi State, Alhaji Danjuma Bala Rafawa has told States and Local Government Councils in Northern Nigeria that time has come for them to device means of generating more revenue to be able to execute projects and run government affairs effectively.
Alhaji Danjuma Bala made the call while answering questions from Newsmen on the proposed Bill on National Revenue Generation and Distribution.
He explained that that if the Bill is passed in to law, it would be of great disadvantage to states in the North because of the derivation formula.
He pointed out that the proposed Bill stipulates that States with high concentration of industries are to benefits more while those with no or less concentration are to have less share of revenue allocation there by making it difficult for the affected states to prosecute projects, pay worker’s salary and other expenditure.
The Traditional Titleholder however, charged stakeholders in the region to focus more on the establishing industries and States government to should come up with policies that would ease doing business for sustainable economic growth.
Alhaji Danjuma Bala Rafawa also stressed the need for states in the North to adequately use their comparative advantages in boosting the economy of the region especially through agriculture and mining activities to curve the rising unemployment and poverty.
He said time has come for the leaders to reflect on the mission and vision of the founding fathers, the likes of Late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawabalewa and Late Premier, Sir Ahmadu Bello whose legacy on economic development still exist.
Alhaji Danjuma Bala also advised tertiary institutions own by northern states to concentrate on research and innovations for enhanced economic growth and development.