The Senate on Wednesday rejected a Bill seeking statutory grant and
recognition of Lagos State for its `strategic socio-economic
significance.’
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central), was rejected
by most of the lawmakers who argued that it contradicted certain
constitutional provisions.
Tinubu had urged her colleagues to support the bill for Lagos to be
granted one per cent of revenue from the Federation Account as statutory
grant.
s of strategic, social economic significance as the commercial nerve
centre of Nigeria. Today, Lagos serves as the commercial capital of
Nigeria.
“The strategic importance of Lagos State is inherent in several sectors of
the economy.’’
She said statistics indicated that six out of 10 international passengers
arrived in Lagos while eight out of 10 departed from Lagos.
“Lagos is home to the major ports that served Nigeria. It accounts for
over 90 per cent of all maritime exports.
“The state delivers much of the funds and charges that go into the coffers
of the Federal Government. It is incontrovertible that Lagos state
generates much of Nigeria’s income outside its oil sector.
“According to FIRS report in 2008, 86.2 per cent company income taxes were
collected in Lagos, including 56.7 per cent value added tax.
“As a city which caters for the welfare of residents and visitors, Lagos
is placed under a huge strain that affects its infrastructure and has
welfare implications for residents and transient citizens of other states
in Nigeria.
“This grant will be utilised in meeting the public infrastructural need of
Lagos state, including rail infrastructure to decongest the roads’’, she
added
In the same vein, Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC-Lagos West), drew the attention
of his colleagues to the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos.
He said if the grant was approved, it would not only benefit the state but
the entire nation.
Sen. Fatima Rasaki, wife of former Lagos administrator representing PDP
Ekiti Central, said the bill was overdue adding that the state deserved
the grant as a former capital city.
However, many senators voted against the bill, arguing that one state
could not be `so favoured’ over other states.
Sen. James Manager said that although he was in support of the bill, it
would not be possible to pass it as it contravened certain sections of the
constitution.
The argument in support took a complete turn when the Majority Whip, Sen.
Olusola Adeyeye spoke on the bill.
Adeyeye said Lagos State deserved 13 per cent like states in the Niger Delta.
He countered Sen. Philip Aduda’s plea that the Federal Capital Territory
be considered also for a similar grant.
He further stated that the FCT had enjoyed so much attention from the
federal government, describing the territory as a “rotten pampered child.”
His comment irked many senators and generated mild commotion in the
chamber until he retracted the comment with the intervention of Deputy
President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu who presided.
When the question was put, many senators in voice vote, voted against the
bill.
In a related dev elopement, the Senate passed for second reading a Bill
seeking to protect Nigerians from lynching or extrajudicial killings.
The billed is titled: “A Bill for an Act for the Prohibition of and
Protection of Persons from Lynching, Mob Action and Extrajudicial
Execution and other Related Offences, 2016.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Dino Melaye, received the nod of the Senate
and was referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal
Matters to be returned in four weeks.