ABUJA—MEMBERS of the House of Representatives yesterday passed through second reading a bill seeking to grant special economic status to Lagos State and some other deserving states in the federation.

This is to ensure that the state receives the necessary support from the Federal Government to develop critical infrastructure and cater to its rising population. A bill of similar request was turned down in the Senate, but the House repackaged it to include consideration for special status to Kano, Anambra and states with cities within the threshold of 10 million inhabitants, which meet the criteria for megacity by the United Nations.

The bill is entitled: “a Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004, to grant Special Economic Consideration to Certain States in Nigeria and other matters related thereto.” If it is eventually passed into law, any state with Special Consideration Status would be entitled to 20 percent of all proceeds accruing to the Federal Government from the state, to mitigate the pressures of urbanisation, overcrowding and decaying infrastructure. The Bill was promoted by Rep Babajimi Benson APC, Lagos, Rep. Linda Chuba Ikpeazu PDP, Anambra, Rep.

Danburam Abubakar Nuhu APC, Kano and Rep Sadiq Ibrahim Adamawa, APC, who described it as the ‘unity bill’. Benson, who led the debate said the 20 percent would assist in revival of the economic potentials of such states to contribute significantly to economic prosperity in the country.

“This bill, asides being in conformity with global demands, will position Nigeria as a proactive country ready to address the urban challenges of overpopulation, poverty, infrastructure decay and environmental degradation, also cater for the teeming youths who represent 70 percent of our demography,” Benson said.

The Lagos lawmaker noted that Onitsha has been known for trading and inflow of people from all regions of Nigeria since the mid-1850s, following the abolition of slave trade. It should therefore be considered for special benefits that will enhance its economic output and rich potentials.

“In the same vein, the textile, apparel and footwear industry in Kano, played dominant role in the manufacturing sector of the Nigerian economy in the 70s and 80s, but today the textile industry that influenced the inflow to such cities, is moribund and require urgent attention that can only be achieved if the states have a sustainable fund dedicated to economic regeneration,” he said.

Kano also has the capacity to host more than 10 million Nigerians if given the needed support, Benson added. He passionately made an appeal for Lagos, where he represents, emphasising that the state remains the economic hub of the country, and provide 60 per cent of Nigeria’s gross domestic product.

“The GDP of Lagos State ranks fourth in Africa below Cairo, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. Lagos houses headquarters of national and global companies, and the complex business and professional services that support them,” he said.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/special-status-lagos-bill-passes-second-reading-house-reps/

Laudable. I just hope the bill will not be hijacked by tribalism and religious sentiments.

Just to grant Lagos special status, they had to add other unproductive states just to satisfy some elements. Only God can help this country.

Eko onibaje

And this is awesome...

What this taught us is that selfish bills will always hit the bottom rock...

Lagos is not the only state in Nigeria so one wouldn't mind asking resilient questions why so? Why should it happen that way? For it to be accorded special status and getting the benefit all alone in the envy, discouragement and detriment of other peer states.

Now the same bill is rebranded and better and what it now means is that it will encourage states to be up and doing so as to attract development to unlock human resources by all means so as to tap into this blessing...

Congrats to the states that has already passed the first test which I also see most of the ss states being part of...
Still hoping on the resource control bill that will nail the final coffin to rest.

Repping Anambra, the light of the nation...

clevadani:
Just to grant Lagos special status, they had to add other unproductive states just to satisfy some elements. Only God can help this country.

Some times you don't need to be blinded by selfishness...

So kano, Anambra and other states which houses cities catering for 10 million citizens are unproductive??

May God heal your soul.

The way things are done in this country is just laughable. Why should Anambra with a population and a GDP less than that of Rivers state be considered ahead of Rivers? Why should a unproductive state like kano even be considered at all?

Oo

ok

Lagos deserves DOUBLE special status

Eko o ni baje oooooo

Ok

TheEastActivist:


Some times you don't need to be blinded by selfishness...

So kano, Anambra and other states which houses cities catering for 10 million citizens are unproductive??

May God heal your soul.

What's the entire population of Anambra state for it to have a city that house 10 million people? What's the rate of migration of other Nigerians and foreigners alike, which causes pressure on the infrastructure to a state like Anambra when compared with Lagos? Answer these questions with an open mind and you see the reason why those that came up with the bill considering Lagos only, in the first place did that.

Anambra my asssss......Why must everything in Nigeria have to be done with Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa Tribal line in mind,huh? So they had to include two states representing the Igbos and hausas just to appease the phoools in the house of reps......Why not Rivers instead of Anambra?
Kano does not have any business being on that list, the same Kano that will erupt in flames at the slightest religious argument, yet someone up there is telling me kano is wiling to accommodate 10 million Nigerians.......smh.

Omo eko lawa..proud lagosian. Lagos, the spirit of Nigeria...

Omudia11:
The way things are done in this country is just laughable. Why should Anambra with a population and a GDP less than that of Rivers state be considered ahead of Rivers? Why should a unproductive state like kano even be considered at all?

do u just call kano unproductive state?

QuotaSystem:
This new strategy of adding Kano and Anambra states to to the special status bill means the bill has a better chance of being passed, but it's a sober reminder of the geo-political fault lines in our nation that must be recognized in ways that could hinder genuine economic progress.

Above all, this is great for Lagos, it will enable Ambo-super to continue his magic in the centre of excellence. I look forward to the day that Lagos develops an effective underground rail system to solve the myriad of transportation problems and boost economic development.

Eko o ni baje!

The water table in Lagos is probably too high for a true subway system.

good to know

Omudia11:
The way things are done in this country is just laughable. Why should Anambra with a population and a GDP less than that of Rivers state be considered ahead of Rivers? Why should a unproductive state like kano even be considered at all?

Isn't it laughable that Anambra is considered ahead of Rivers? Just to appease the Hausa and Igbo House of Reps members, they had to include states that have no business being given special status. Everyone knows Lagos is a microcosm of Nigeria, hence it was the only state put forward initially but just because of our divisions along ethnic lines in this country, people see development in one region as a disadvantage to them. Quite unfortunate.

Omudia11:
The way things are done in this country is just laughable. Why should Anambra with a population and a GDP less than that of Rivers state be considered ahead of Rivers? Why should a unproductive state like kano even be considered at all?

My thoughts too. But for the greater good, it just has to be done this way to push back ethnic sentiments and bigotry which i'm sure is why it was kicked against in the first place. Lagos is the 5th fastest economic growing city in africa, it deserves the 20% but our ethnic diversity wont let that happen, hence wisdom is applied to include a south eastern and northern state, even though they are below par, to let peace reign

Omudia11:
The way things are done in this country is just laughable. Why should Anambra with a population and a GDP less than that of Rivers state be considered ahead of Rivers? Why should a unproductive state like kano even be considered at all?

It's not as if your comment surprised me, because you have always been dumb!

It's just that this is a hateful lie! A dangerously foolish comment!

Have you ever been to Onitsha in your miserable life? I doubt so. Like it or not, that place is deserving of some kind of help to encourage its growth. Rivers State deserves consideration, yes, but to talk down other places as less deserving of such on grounds of some silly reasons is the peak of stupidity.

Labelling Kano an unproductive state tells of a creek soldier who barely knows a thing.

You should seek whatever god you believe in sometime, you need profound cleansing! Your kind of hate could consume you otherwise.

QuotaSystem:
This new strategy of adding Kano and Anambra states to to the special status bill means the bill has a better chance of being passed, but it's a sober reminder of the geo-political fault lines in our nation that must be recognized in ways that could hinder genuine economic progress.

Above all, this is great for Lagos, it will enable Ambo-super to continue his magic in the centre of excellence. I look forward to the day that Lagos develops an effective underground rail system to solve the myriad of transportation problems and boost economic development.

Eko o ni baje!

I can't believe you don't have over a 100 likes. Your statement is short but extremely profound.