Lagos State House of Assembly has Renewed its call on the national Assembly and the Executive to grant the state special status in the on going constitutional review
The cal was made by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Hon Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode in an interview with the News Agenct of Nigeria (NAN)
He posited that over the years, there had been agitation for special status for the state ,being the country’s economic nerve Centre
The Lawmaker said the state deserves special status being the former capital of Nigeria with much federal infrastructure and a huge population
Ogundipe said the resources of the state couldn't adequately cater for its population of over 22 million Nigerians from different regions and the pressure on amenities
According to Ogundipe "Lagos is generally regarded as a special state in Nigeria for various reasons. First, it was the capital of the Federation until December 12,1991,when Abuja was made Nigeria’s capital "
"Secondly,Lagos has been so critical to the economic development of the country, that it is generally regarded as economic or commercial capital of Nigeria or even west Africa. The state plays host to many economic and strategic agencies, including critical revenue organs"
Furthermore, ''the most viable international airport is located in the state as well as the two most viable seaports in the country accounting for over 90 percent of maritime trade.it is the main gateway to the country and the centre if financial services, being the most viable capital of the money and capital markets in the country"
Finally " also, the collectible tax profile of the state for federal and state is second to none in the country , with the state being the largest single contributor of the now contentious Value Added Tax in the country ,relative to other states and the Federal Capital Territory "
0 Comments