APC'S COMMITTEE REPORT FOR TRUE FEDERALISM : WITH FOCUS ON RESOURCE CONTROL

APC'S COMMITTEE REPORT FOR TRUE FEDERALISM : WITH FOCUS ON RESOURCE CONTROL

                           By:
           Nurudeen Dauda
           February 16, 2018
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The issue of Resource Control in Nigeria has been very popular among the three geo-political zones of Sourthern Nigeria who are the oil producing states in the country. On the other hand, the issue is quite unpopular among the three geo-political zones of Northern Nigeria.

Nigerians must be reminded that Crude oil or Petroleum Resources is not the only Natural Resources that Nigeria has. In fact, Nigeria is more of a Solid Mineral Resource country than a Petroleum Resource country, but however, the present reality is that, the country depends heavenly on Petroleum Resources.

Northern Nigeria has been very skeptical about  Resource Control.In my view, Northern Nigeria should have nothing to fear about it because it has more Solid Mineral Resources than the South. Please come with me!

The 23-man APC's committee on restructuring which held 12 zonal public consultations before submitting its report on the 25th of January, 2018 recommended that :"States should exercise control over Natural Resources within their respective territories and pay taxes or royalties therefrom to the federal government."

In my observation, some of the arguments being canvassed by the advocates for Resource Control is that,Resource Control will facilitate the development of not only Petroleum Resources but also Solid Mineral Resources.The Federal Government has a lot of resources which makes it pay less attention to Solid Minerals sector. It is also too preoccupied with responsibilities at the centre and for that they will hardly develop the Mineral sub sector under the present arrangement . 

Another talking point is that there is almost a near consensus among analysts in the Mineral sub-sector that as long as the price of crude oil is high the Federal Government will hardly put more effort in the exploration of Solid Mineral Resources.It is also belief that, if state governments are given the powers to issue licences to miners it will facilitate the development of Solid Mineral Resources exploration more than the present snail movement development being witnessed under the Federal Government.

However, "Northern Nigeria can safely be said to be the home of Solid Mineral Resources in Nigeria. Although there are Solid Mineral Resources all over the country it is a public knowledge that it is dominant in the North. About 34 minerals of commercial quantities have been found in Nigeria"- Mr. David Adulugba, Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)-(Vanguard, October 27,2011). 

Kogi state alone has deposits of a total of 29 Mineral Resources available in commercial quantities. Nasarawa state has about 23, Plateau state has about 21 and Kaduna state has about 19 different Mineral Resources.

In a book tittle: Industrial Development of the Northern States of Nigeria, edited by Dr.Usman Bugaje, Dr. Ladi A.Hamalai and Dr. Sabo A.Indabawa its provided the list of Minerals Resources in the 19 Northern States and Abuja. In the book they mentioned that there are Gold, Uranium,Diamond,Kaolin,and Iron etc., for Gold it is found in 9 states of Northern Nigeria: In Zamfara state is found in :Kauran Namoda,Gumi,Maru,Tsafe,Anka and Bukkuyum; Katsina state : Bakori,Faskari,Sabuwa,Malumfashi,Safana and Batsari; Kebbi state : Bagudo and Ngaski ; Niger state: Rafi,Magama,Chanchaga, and Kontagora; Kogi state :Kogi and Yaba East ; Kaduna state Birnin Gwari ;Kano state Sumaila; Borno state Gwoza and Kwara state Moro.

In my understanding, In the long run, Northern Nigeria has nothing to fear about Resource Control. However, In truth, in the short run, Northern Nigeria will face some financial difficulties to which in my estimation will only last for between 3 to 5 years.

In my view, it is better for the North to have a short term suffering than to have permanent underdevelopment.

May God bless Nigeria!

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