IE Talks Tough on Energy Theft, Reaffirms Penalties for Offenders

AgegePulse Magazine 

Lagos, Nigeria; July 20, 2024:

Nigeria's leading Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), reiterates that offenders caught in the act of energy theft will be immediately charged to court. The company emphasized that the era of merely imposing loss of revenue (LOR) penalty alone on offenders is over, as it will now enforce the full weight of the law against offenders.

The Company made this announcement at its July Stakeholders Forum, a monthly enlightenment meeting aimed at educating its customers about the company's activities and laudable initiatives to foster improved service delivery.

Mr. Kingsley Okotie, Ikeja Electric's Head of Corporate Communication, lamented the increase in energy theft, especially over the last three months following implementation of the reviewed tariff on Band A feeders. He noted that the company and the entire electricity value chain cannot survive if theft goes unchecked.

"The theft is massive and the company cannot guarantee meeting customer expectations if this ugly trend continues. Ironically, some perpetrators believe that if they haven't been caught, there are no consequences. This is false, and we must change the narrative," he said.

Okotie stated that for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) to survive, all stakeholders must fight in unison against theft, as pilfering of electricity hinders the stability of the sector. He emphasized that whatever happens to the Distribution Companies (Discos) affects the entire NESI.

Speaking on strategies to curb theft, the company's spokesman mentioned that the whistleblowing platform is a very effective way for customers and well-meaning Nigerians to report incidents anonymously. He added that the platform is managed independently of the business, ensuring customers identity remain anonymous and highly confidential.

To reinforce the company's commitment, IE is incentivizing whistleblowing by rewarding those who report any illegality and theft of electricity. Persons who submit verified reports on Non-Maximum Demand (Residential & SMEs) offenders will get up to 10% of the reconnection fee paid by the offender while for Maximum Demand (Commercial & Industrial) offenders, whistle-blowers will get up to 5% of the reconnection fees paid by the offender.

He further explained that energy theft is a criminal offence under the Electricity Act, attracting a sentence between 6 months to 3 years imprisonment. Interfering with meters or the works of licensees carries a sentence of 3 years imprisonment. Ikeja Electric can, under the law, prosecute people and companies for the criminal offence of energy theft.

In line with regulations stipulated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the NERC Order on unauthorized access, meter tampering, and bypass allows Discos to disconnect customers illegally connected to their network. Reconnection is only possible after offenders have paid for the loss of revenue by paying back-bills established by the Disco, along with reconnection costs and administrative charges.

The IE spokesperson urged customers to take advantage of the new whistleblowing platform to report energy theft. The whistleblowing channels include:

  *   Toll-free Hotlines: 0800-TIP-OFFS (0800 847 6337)
  *   Web Portal: www.ikejaelectric.com/whistleblowing<http://www.ikejaelectric.com/whistleblowing>
  *   Email: expressyourself@ikejaelectric.com
  *   Mobile App: Download the Deloitte Tip-offs Anonymous App on Android or iOS devices

For customer complaints, use the official complaints resolution channels via phone at 0201-7000-250, 0201-227-2940, or send an email to customercare@ikejaelectric.com.


Best Regards

Electricity: Lagos Assembly Charges distribution companies On Regular Power Supply

...demand better deal for constituents during and after the lockdown.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has tasked the power Distributing Companies within Lagos territory, to be more humane in the discharge of their statutory duties, ensuring Lagosians enjoy considerable power supply, within and after the COVID-19 pandemic period.

This charge was made through a Joint Committee of the House constituted by the Speaker, Rt Hon.Mudashiru Obasa to make an oversight visit to the two Distribution Companies; EKO and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company in order to fine tune means through which people can get power supply, while they comply with the stay at home directives in place.

The Joint Committee which comprised of House Committee on Energy and Mineral resources and; that of Information, Security and Strategy headed by Hon.Folajimi Mohammed with the mandate to visit the distribution networks (DISCO)in Lagos state.

Speaking after the visit, the Joint Committee Chairman Folajimi Mohammed appraised the situation, which necessitated the visit as peoples comfort need to be guaranteed while observing the stay at home order through steady power supply.

"During the COVID-19 period we have seen that there is an order for a lockdown, and this has caused a lot of discomfort to our constituents,to this end we were asked to visit the DISCOs and find out issues as to why there has been insufficient supply of electricity to most parts of Lagos State.



"One thing was pertinent about the meeting, they DISCOs accepted and admitted the flaws, however, they urged that we look at this holistically considering different value chains within the sphere of the departments, so as it is, we can't necessarily put most of the blame on the DISCOs.

"However, we have asked that they give us a road map as to how they want to ensure effective distribution of power to the people.

" I am glad that Ikeja DISCO has honoured the request by giving their words and promised to appoint people who would directly relate with us at the House of Assembly for onward transfer to our constituents whom we represent.

"We can't but appeal to our constituents to be calm at this time ,we understand these are tough times and from the reports and what we have been shown they have actually generated full capacity , but, they still have Infrastructural challenges, so we need to understand that without those infrastructure in place most things would not be done.

"So I would only try to appeal to the people and all constituents to kindly bear with them as they have been looking at the best way to profer solutions to this hardship.

Hon. Tunde Braimoh, the House Chairman on  Information,Security and Strategy in his own submission after the parley noted that it is of essence for the general public to own the available infrastructures as the energy theft is causing people a lot of needless stress.

"Government is about the people we are not just there for aggradisement or grandstanding of being in government,we must be purposefully useful and effective to the people that we serve.

"The supply of electricity power is one of the basic yearnings of our people because electricity remains the most important innovations of humanity in the last one thousand years and nobody  can joke with the importance of electricity.

That is why we have to come out to interact with the EKODISCO having inundated with a series  of complaints about; no electricity supply,excessive billings,outright disconnection and all of that and we need to be more sympathetic or empathetic rather to the plight of the people in this pandemic situation because people cannot go out to work,economic power is low and of course staying at home too should be as comfortable as possible and without electricity that will be a mirage.

That's why we are out here to interact with the Managing Director of EKODISCO and we have had a very useful discussion with him.

"He had been able to let us know what efforts they have been doing and I can say by and large they have been very altruistic and public spirited in their mode of operation.  I just need to appeal to our people to understand them because they too have a lot of limitations.

The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral resources Mr Olalere Odusote who was present at the two parleys enjoins Lagosians to comply with the stay at home order and remain safe, assuring that all their issues with power supply are being handled seriously by the state government.

"The people should be rest assured that the state government would continue to work with the electricity distribution companies,to ensure that their power supply is not adversely affected by any actions that the government is taking during the pandemic,especially due to restriction of movement.

"Electricity companies are committed to continue in carrying out their services as well as they have been carrying it before the pandemic .

"The Lagos state government will continue to support the distribution companies,Lagosians are enjoined to stay at home, if you don't have any essential business outside of your home,stay at home because the more you stay the less likely it is that you could contract or be infected with any COVID.

"Lagosians are urged not to worry about electricity supply because that is being taken care of as well as it was before the COVID and perhaps even better." Said Odusote .

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer EKODISCO Mr.Adeoye Fadeyibi, gave a clear cut view of how things are in the sector urging people to know that they are also with them in the situation at hand.

"I think estimated billing itself is something that is pressure on the system as a whole,so I think one of the things that we have done significantly which you can see is the ramp up metering. "The MAP initiative has been a good thing and try and just increase the number of meters that we install into the system to close the gap.

" Lagosians like to have the right information so when you look at it and look at our customer base it is probably more than 80 percent that has been metered already, so when you look at the remainder that we have is to continue to try and get this metering in place and also to get the distribution transformers metering done.

The Chairman Ikeja Electric Mr Kola Adesina,appreciated the fact that the lawmakers think of the vulnerables and poor masses in the society.

"Seeking solution for life during and after COVID is quite commendable, as an organisation we are quite aligned with the Honourable members and we would do everything humanly conceivable to ensure that not only we have light but we have light in a steady manner.

"The charge in energy will be made available but more importantly we would want our people to conserve energy, when you are not using any appliance please switch them off,that way you preserve the electricity but if you go beyond what you require and start to use electricity beyond your need then you are likely to cause system failure and the feeder will trip and you won't have electricity.

"So whenever you are not in a room or the house please  switch off appliances, that way, light can be made readily available to Majority of our people.

Senate cuts N35bn from education, power ministries to fund 2019 polls

The senate on Wednesday reconsidered its approval of virement and supplementary budget for the conduct of 2019 elections budget solely from the service wide votes.

The upper legislative chamber resolved that contrary to the earlier resolution, the budget of N242.2billion would be funded from service wide votes and 30 ministries, agencies and departments(MDAs)

The resolution followed a motion by Danjuma Goje, chairman senate committee on appropriation.

The senate resolved that half of the amount would be sourced from the MDAs, while the other half would be sourced from the service wide votes.

A breakdown of the amount to be sourced from the MDAs include N25.527 billion from power, works and housing; N12.6 billion from water resources; N11 billion from agriculture and rural development.

Others are N10.238 billion from education, N8 billion from health, N8.9 billion from budget and national planning and N7.5 billion-science and technology.

The senate also cut N6.7 billion from the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), N7 billion from trade and investment ministry and N2.7 billion from labour and employment.

NERC working on alternative energy sources, says Chairman

The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, says it is working on alternative energy sources to boost power supply in the country.
Its Chairman, Prof. James Momoh made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Igarra, Edo.

“We are working on other options of energy supply so that we don’t have to always rely on power from Egbin, Afam or Sapele.

“That is why now, we are working and making sure there is network to transfer long distance power to other parts of the country.


“With respect to renewable energy, God has given us wind and solar energy in Nigeria, sunshine which can be turned into energy.
“We have investors, even Nigerians themselves who are interested in getting involved in the business of energy production, we have regulations that allow them to do so.

“So if you know somebody who wants to engage in distributing power, marketing power, making money, we are the people that will authorize such persons.

“Already some other states have taken advantage of that,” Momoh said.
The NERC chairman said that the commission is committed to ensuring that Nigerians have access to power and every home  is metered.
“First of all, we have sufficient power and accessible power for everyone who want to use power and buy.

“So we are metering, we are regulating; every Nigerian home must be metered so you don’t pay for energy you did not use. Nobody should be given estimated bills.

“We are a commission which solves problem legally, the law is in place to make sure every home is metered and if you are willing to access power, you need to be metered and pay,” he said.
On the power supply problem in Igarra, Momoh said the effort is on to enhance supply.

“We are working and making sure there is network to transfer long distance power to Igarra; that is what we just did in Okpella.
“Okpella had been in darkness, we have solved their problem, they will no longer be in darkness.

“Igarra too, we are going to solve their problem, we are going to make sure that power from Okpella gets to this place,” he added.

(NAN)

Punch

Saraki May Declare Akpabio, Other PDP Defectors’ Seats Vacant

A senator from the North-Central geopolitical zone and an ally of Saraki said trouble could start on resumption when the APC caucus would definitely demand a roll call so that senators who defected to its fold could sit with their party members for easy identification.

“For now, I am not aware of any division or faction in the PDP at the moment that could warrant the action of Akpabio and others.

“The Senate President is expected to exercise his constitutional powers now to declare the seats of Akpabio and others’ vacant until they are able to justify the reasons for their defection.

“We know that the development would provoke an uproar, but the Senate President would remain resolute. So, the only option that would be left for Akpabio and his co-travellers would be to approach the court to determine whether there is actually a division in the PDP or not.

“Until the procurement of the legal interpretation of their status, those who defected from the PDP would be barred from entering the premises of the National Assembly.

“They will probably remain in court till the end of the current 8th Assembly.”

However, members of the APC caucus at the Senate alleged that Saraki withheld their defection letters from the PDP sent to the upper chamber.

The APC senators further alleged that Saraki, who read out the letter in which 13 lawmakers defected from the APC to the PDP and another one to the African Democratic Congress on July 24, refused to read the letters from those who dumped the opposition party for the ruling party.

The Senate President has however denied the allegation, challenging those who claimed to have written to him to declare their defections to publish their letters.

Speaking to SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday, an APC senator accused Saraki of ignoring the defection letters.

“Saraki has been proving smart by not reading letters of defections from the PDP. Until that was done, those affected have technically not defected. He is not reading the letters and it is deliberately so. As a result, in the records of the National Assembly, PDP is 57 while we are 48.

Reacting to the allegation, Saraki, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, denied keeping defection letters.

He said, “There is no senator whose letter is still pending. It is a lie, we don’t have such letters. When did they write and send the letters? Did they show you the copies? They need to make available the acknowledgement copies.”

Punch ng

Native Reporters

AgegePulse

Power: Fashola lambasts Discos, calls spokesperson an interloper

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, on Friday lambasted the Association of Electricity Distributors and condemned the association’s recent reactions to his directives to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Public Enterprises and Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading company.

Fashola, who called the association’s spokesperson an interloper, stressed that his directives went to legal entities and not to an unlicensed organisation, ANED and that the Discos were sabotaging Nigeria’s economy through their actions.

In a 28-page document released in Abuja on Tuesday by ANED, the power distributors argued that most of the statements about Nigeria’s power sector that were made last week Monday by Fashola were false.

They said comments made by the minister on metering, power generation and transmission capacities, stranded electricity, among others, were significantly distorted.

Fashola had briefed journalists on the status of Nigeria’s power sector at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in Abuja last week Monday and had raised a lot of lapses on the part of Discos.

The minister, who was displeased by ANED’s reaction to his briefing, issued a statement he personally signed on Friday and said, “Before fiction becomes fact for lack of a response, I feel obliged to respond to some, not all of the allegations credited to one Mr. Sunday Oduntan who presents himself as Executive Director, Research and Advocacy of the Association of Electricity Distributors, which he made in response to my directives to NERC and BPE/NBET as contracting parties to the Discos.

“Throughout my press statement which contained the directives, I referred copiously to the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act which is the law that regulates the power sector. I referred to Discos in their capacities as licensees. Mr. Oduntan should tell members of the public if ANED is a licensee.”

Fashola went on, “He should tell the public whether he is an investor in a Disco and in which Disco he has invested and what he invested. He should tell members of the public that I walked him out of our monthly meeting because he has no capacity to attend and he was not invited. If ANED is not a licensee, who is ANED? An NGO? If so, they should listen to consumers because nothing is going on about poor service.”

Punch

Ambode releases 12 Kirikiri Prison inmates

...inmates have spent between thirty-four and twenty years in prison

...Says Justice Sector Reforms on course

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday released twelve inmates of the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Apapa in furtherance of the law establishing the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

The inmates have spent between thirty-four and twenty years in prison and were released having satisfied basic conditions such as remorse, good behaviour and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the society.

Speaking while handing over the release order from the Governor to the Lagos Prisons Command, Chairman of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo said the release of the inmates was in line with the commitment of the present administration in the State to the ideals of the justice sector reforms through prison decongestion.

Oyewo, who represented Governor Ambode at the event alongside other members of the Council, said the exercise was pursuant to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which empowered the Governor to exercise prerogative of mercy, and also to offer hope to such inmates who have demonstrated capacity to be re-absolved into the society.

According to Oyewo, a professor of law, "The Advisory Council On Prerogative of Mercy is established under the Laws of Lagos State pursuant to the powers of the Governor under the Constitution to exercise prerogative of mercy. The Council meets to consider applications for the exercise of prerogative of mercy that is forwarded through the Nigerian Prisons authority.

"Basically, in exercising this there are guidelines that are set and some of these include looking at the period that has been served by the inmates and for hard capital offences, such inmates must have served for a sufficient period of time and the reason is that the Council in the guidelines try to balance various interests such as that of the community, the family of the victims and also the interest of the administration of criminal justice and justice reform to ensure that prisoners are reformed and rehabilitated.

"It also include transformation in the life of the prisoner because there must be remorse and acknowledgment of the fact that something wrong had been done and then the prisoner must also have acquired some skills to show that he is ready to be rehabilitated into the society."

Aside that, Oyewo said the families of the released inmates, in accordance with the guidelines, were also made to guarantee that they would follow up on them to ensure that they don't go back to their old ways of crime.

While addressing other inmates at the prison, Oyewo admonished them not to be discouraged but be of good behaviour and repent from their sinful ways, saying that the State Governor was determined to release as many of them who meet the requirements for freedom.

He also said that a reform was being proposed to put a parole system in place to secure the database and monitor prisoners on prerogative of mercy after their release to guide against future crime and ensure they contribute positively to the society.

In his remarks, Controller of Prisons, Lagos Command, Mr Tunde Ladipo commended Governor Ambode for his commitment to justice sector reforms and prison decongestion, saying the release of the inmates had brought hope to to them.

He recalled the release of eighteen inmates in March by the Governor, adding that the development would go a long way in addressing prison congestion which had been a major issue in the administration of justice system in the country.

"It is my great pleasure and honour to receive the letter of release from the very hardworking Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode who has passion for God and development of this State.

"I call him the action Governor and off course Lagos has continued to be the number one State in Nigeria and so we are not surprised that this is coming from the State.

"On behalf of the Controller General of Prisons, we want to say a big thank you to the Governor for his commitment to do more for this State and for this prison," Ladipo said.

He also urged the Governor to come to the aid of Lagos Prisons Command in area of logistics, construction of security tower, procurement of CCTV cameras, among others.

Drama As New PDP Faction Emerges

...Says Party is Overwhelmed With Impunity

Agege Pulse Magazine

Barely one month after all seems to be well with the PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY, PDP with the organisation of an elective convention that brought new National Executives into power, a new twist is now emerging.

Information reaching Agege Pulse Magazine  confirms that a new faction has emerged in the Peoples Democratic Party with a secretariat opened in Asokoro, Abuja.

At a press conference held today in Abuja, the  FRESH PDP group led by Emmanuel Nwosu said it is emerging due to imposition of a unity list on members on December 9 convention.

The new faction claimed the impunity that led to the ousted of the PDP in 2015 general election was still perpetrated in the December 9 convention whereby results of election was already seen while voting was still ongoing.

20 years after, FG completes handing over of Presidential Lodge, Marina to LASG

…We'll transform edifice to national monument, says Ambode
...Thanks Buhari, Osinbajo, Fashola, Others


The Federal Government on Tuesday completed the final handing over of the Presidential Lodge, Marina to the Lagos State Government about twenty years after the journey to actualize it commenced.

Speaking at the brief but impressive handing over ceremony, held at the Conference Room of Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing in Abuja, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said the development was a testament of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to bring positive change to Lagos.

Governor Ambode particularly commended the President, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola and staff of the Ministry; Permanent Secretary in the Office of Chief of Staff to the President, and other stakeholders who worked to ensure the final transfer of the asset to Lagos.

The Governor said: "We are strongly delighted to be here on this historic day; on a day that actually finalises the intention of Mr President to bring positive change to Lagos.

"We want to sincerely appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari who has graciously approved that the Presidential Lodge be released to Lagos State and for the use of Lagos State which, just has said by the Minister, we have been trying to get for the last twenty years.

"We are pleased that on a day like this, it is my predecessor and present Minister of Works who is now doing the final handing over of which he had also been part of that process to get this asset back to Lagos but in God's own doing, the Minister is in the position today to do the final documentation and we are very grateful for that."

While alluding to the fact that the development was a sign of greater collaboration between Federal Government and Lagos State, Governor Ambode expressed optimism that it would be the beginning of process to get such assets back to the State Government.
Besides, the Governor said his administration would put the edifice to good use and transform it into a national monument to boost tourism and grow the economy of Lagos and Nigeria.

"This is a sign of greater things and greater collaboration between the Federal Government and Lagos State. We believe strongly that this singular gesture is part of what will improve the economy of Lagos because our intention is to turn that particular asset into a national monument where we can christen it a National Heritage Centre for Leadership and we will use it also as a tourist centre to bring Nigerians and foreigners to come to Nigeria and as well use that as a means of improving on the economy of Lagos State and Nigeria.

"On a final note, I want to show my sincere appreciation to the Minister and hope that this particular event will bring more good stories as we continue to see how much we can strive to get some of these assets back to Lagos State," Governor Ambode said.

Earlier, Fashola congratulated Governor Ambode and the people of Lagos State for the N1.04trillion budget estimate presented to the State House of Assembly on Monday by the Governor, and expressed hope that it would improve quality service delivery to the people of the State.

He said the signing of the document which formally vest ownership of the Presidential Lodge, Marina in the State Government was in fulfillment of the promise made by President Buhari, saying it was gratifying that the long journey spanning about two decades had finally come to an end.

He said: "This is a long journey that has come to an end; a journey that has taken almost two decades when the Lagos State Government asked that the property be vested in Lagos but for reasons that remained difficult to understand it did not happen but the President of change who is a promise keeper has made it happen."

Aside Governor Ambode, other Lagos State officials at the ceremony included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde and Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr Adebowale Akinsanya.

Gov. Ambode appointed as Chairman of Southern Governors Forum (SGF) in Lagos

.Southern Governors unite on true federalism, devolution of powers

…To collaborate on security, infrastructure, economy

For the first time in 12 years, Governors of the Southern States of Nigeria on Monday met in Lagos, where they unanimously reiterated the call for true federalism and devolution of powers to States.

The Governors, in a communique at the end of the meeting read by the host Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, also resolved to collaborate with one another for the growth and development of their economies.

Aside Governor Ambode, the meeting was attended by Governors of Ogun, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Oyo, Seantor Abiola Ajimobi; Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Ebonyi, David Umahi; Edo, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Ondo, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; Abia, Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Enugu, Mr. Henry Ugwuanyi; Bayelsa, Mr. Seriaki Dickson and Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

Governors of Cross River, Anambra and Delta were represented by their Deputies - Mr. Evara Esu; Dr. Ikem Okeke and Mr. Kingsley Otuaru respectively.

Continuing with the communique, Governor Ambode said the Governors after extensive deliberations, also emphasized priority on security and lives and property of citizens of the regions, while also resolving to work on effective linkage on good infrastructure across the 17 States in the region.

At the meeting, Governor Ambode was unanimously appointed as the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum (SGF) while Governors Seriaki Dickson of Bayelsa and David Umahi of Ebonyi States were appointed as Co- Chairmen of the Forum.
The Forum also scheduled the next meeting for Port Harcourt in a yet to be announced date.

Earlier, Governor Ambode, while welcoming his colleagues to the meeting, reflected on the clamour for true federalism and devolution of powers, saying that states will benefit from the envisaged restructuring.

He said the goals of true federalism, which included the strengthening of autonomy and the enhancement of fiscal viability will enable the states to develop at their own pace and based on their peculiarities.

He said the forum had achieved an increased awareness on the sustenance of the national question germane to peaceful co-existence in the country.

However, he said there is a lot to be done and achieved, stressing that true federalism required urgent, meticulous and proactive attention by the forum.

Ambode frowned at what he described as the non-periodic review of the revenue formula as provided by the constitution to reflect evolving realities.

He said the review is crucial to enhance the viability of states and local government and their capacity to fulfil their developmental roles in the polity.

The governor added: “States are disparaged for always carrying begging bowls to Abuja in quest of hand-outs from the Federal Government. This is a function of our present national constitution that burdens the Federal Government with activities and responsibilities that rightly fall within the province of states.

“The productivity and revenue-generating capacities of most states are thus stifled, thus turning them into no better than street beggar states incapable of even meeting routine obligations of paying workers’ salaries and pensions without federal support.”

Ambode recalled that Lagos State had fought and won several legal battles since 1999 that have systematically strengthened her autonomy and enhanced her fiscal viability.

He noted that the state had won the legal control over the management of its environment, the control of urban and physical planning, the regulation of overhead masts, the registration and regulation of hotels and restaurants, and the control of inland waterways.

Ambode said these victories belonged, not only to Lagos, but also to other states, adding that, if Lagos could achieve so much by fighting alone, the Southern Governors’ Forum will accomplish more through collective planning and strategy.
The governor said the forum has been reactivated at the time the National Assembly is harmonising its differences over the 1999 Constitution amendment, which will soon be transmitted to the Houses of Assembly for approval

He said: “It is important for this forum to comprehensively look at the proposed amendments with a view to working with our respective Houses of Assembly to ensure a coordinated response on our part that will strengthen the practice of democracy, federalism, constitutionalism and the rule of law.
Ambode clarified that, while pushing for greater devolution of powers, responsibilities and resources from the centre to the states, the goal of the forum is neither to a weak centre and strong states and vice versa.

The governor paid tribute to former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu for his initiave, recalling that he hosted the first meeting of the forum in Akodo Beach Resort, Ibeju-Lekki, whe he was at the helm of affairs.

He said while the initiative was received with mixed feelings at the time, Tinubu was vindicated later because of its achievements as the forum became a vocal voice on maters of critical importance, not only to the Southern Nigeria, but to the country as a whole.

Ambode hailed the forum for advocating for a special allocation to oil-producing states in the Federation Account, adding that its agitation led to the current 13 per cent revenue derivation and allocation from the Federation Account.

He said: “Another major victory won towards strengthening the country’s practice of true federalism was the declaration by the Supreme Court in 2002 that the then prevalent practice of the Federal Government deducting monies from the Federation Account as a first charge for the funding of Joint Venture Contracts, the NNPC priority projects, servicing of Federal Government’s external debt, the judiciary and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other federal obligations were illegal and unconstitutional.

“The Supreme Court in that case abolished the special funds created by the Federal Government to enable it draw funds from the Federation Account to pay for matters that fell within its exclusive responsibility before sharing whatever was left with states and local governments.”