National Telescope national telescope newspaper
In a heated session on Thursday, the Nigerian Senate found itself divided over the funding mechanisms for the newly proposed Zonal Development Commissions.
This debate unfolded as both the Senate and the House of Representatives advanced legislation to establish these commissions, which have been stripped of operational immunity for their boards and executives.
The contention arose during the review of the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, which will serve as a model for other zonal commissions.
Central to the discussion was the Senate Committee on Special Duties’ proposal to allocate 15% of statutory allocations from member states to fund these commissions.
Senators such as Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North), Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC, Lagos East), and Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) voiced serious concerns about the funding model.
Senator Abdullahi cautioned that this provision could spark legal challenges from state governments, as no state would willingly accept a reduction in its statutory allocation.
In response, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin clarified that the 15% allocation would not result in direct deductions from state funds.
He explained that this amount would be calculated by the federal government and sourced from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, ensuring that it does not impose additional burdens on states.
Despite Jibrin’s assurances, many senators remained unconvinced and sought to continue the debate. Senate President Godswill Akpabio intervened, asserting that the funding provision was constitutionally valid and citing Section 162(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to allocate funds from either the Consolidated Revenue Fund or the Federation Account.
After Akpabio called for a voice vote, the majority supported the provision.
He later expressed gratitude for the senators’ commitment to establishing the Zonal Development Commissions, which will lay the groundwork for the newly formed Ministry of Regional Development.
The bills passed during this session include the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, along with amendments for the North West and South-East Development Commissions.
Earlier, the South West and North Central Development Commission Establishment Bills had already been passed.
