Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant in the forthcoming general elections, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has described Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rover State as a great achiever with the best ideas in governance.
The presidential hopeful and Governor of Sokoto State who was in Calabar, the state capital as part of his nationwide consultation with party faithful, weekend stated that Governor Ayade has perform credibly well despite the fact that the nation is facing the most trying times in terms of economic development.
In his words: "We know that we are governing at very difficult times in the history of our country as governors of our respective states, but I must commend you for all your efforts to improve on the wellbeing of the citizenry, coupled with the various developmental strides you have recorded.
Tambuwal noted: "You have been thinking outside the box, coming up with so many ideas that are not so common in governance in this part of the world.
"So, I am so proud of you and proud of your achievements so far and now appealing to the people of Cross River to continue to support my brother because I know that he has some of the best ideas as far as governance is concerned in Nigeria."
Rolling out some of his agenda for the country if he eventually becomes president, the former speaker disclosed: "If by the grace of God I emerge as the standard bearer of our great party, PDP and subsequently elected as president, we shall tackle head on, issues bedeviling the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with the view to sanitising it for a more result- oriented revenue earner for Nigeria."
He further asserted that "the challenge has been that of revenue. Nowadays, revenue accruing to states are not being remitted to them as and when due and most times states and even the federal government are being short-changed by the NNPC.
"Today, NNPC has constituted itself into another government of it own inside the federated Nigeria. I'm saying this not because I am now in opposition party, the governor and I know that at the level of economic council meeting presided over the Vice President, we have had a lot of issues with NNPC which is why I will focus there to ensure that we have a more transparent, accountable and a body that will be alive to its legitimate responsibilities."
He added that, "Another critical area my administration will focus will be to ensure the review of revenue allocation formula that is long over du to ensure that more moneys are given to the states and local government areas to guarantee sustainable development at this levels."
The former law maker reminded the gathering that, It is a standard constitutional requirement that the revenue allocation formula be reviewed but lamented that successive administration since the turn of democracy have refused to ensure the implementation of that constitutional charge.
He reasoned that, I believe that by reviewing the revenue formula periodically, we will not only devolved power to the states and local government but will ensure better development and empowerment of the citizenry since they are closer to the grassroot.
He thanked the Governor Ben Ayade for cutting short his oversea trip to receive him describing the gesture as show of love and comaderadier saying, "this is the signature of Cross River, very hospitable, scerene and always a destination of choice for business and leisure" and expressed a sense of belonging.
Responding, Governor Ben Ayade who described the aspirant as unassuming, humble and intellectual leader said that the state will be happy to have someone in his person becoming a president because he has their interest at heart.
Ayeda saluted his policy direction especially as regarding the reforms he proposed for NNPC, adding that if the issue is holistically tackled, 65 percent of the country's economic crisis will be solved.
"As a matter of fact, Nigeria does not have a true idea of the quantum of oil it's produce daily. What we hear daily is all speculations, he hinted.
The governor maintained that "even a simple online system that other oil producing countries have deployed to have an online satellite and digital emission of data, we don't have. So, we rely on the same white men who are digging the oil and telling you how much he is processing and we use these data to represent our production capacity year in and year out," describing the development as worrisome and unacceptable.
On the state's request Ayade said: "Our appeal to the aspirant is that if eventually you become the president of Nigeria, we shall look forward to getting discretional approval from you that will allow us exploit our hydrocarbon inventory in the state.
We will also love you to provide us with sovereign guarantee or find a way to institutionalise a process where the federal government will support Cross River to development her deep seaport which is our visionary project to support the only maritime corridor economically and security wise, " he added.
According to Ayade, the request is to cushion the effect and hardship currently experienced by the state occasioned by the the ceding of Bakassi to the Cameroon by the federal government and subsequent lose of 76 oil wells which now makes the state a weeping child among oil producing states in the Niger Delta.
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