Senators were on Thursday divided while debating the source of funding for the newly established Zonal Development Commissions which have been signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
All the geopolitical zones have their Zonal Development Commissions with exception of the North Central zone, which the bill is currently receiving legislative attention.
The sharp disagreement ensued on the source of funding while considering the South-South Development Commission Establishment bill 2024 as operational and structural template for the other Commissions.
The rancorous debate followed a report submitted by the Senate Committee on Special Duties which recommended that 15% of Statutory allocations of member States should be used to fund the Commission by the federal government.”
In their observations, Senators Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP Kebbi North), Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC Lagos East) and Seriake Dickson PDP Bayelsa West), argued that tampering with the funds going to states would generate a constitutional crisis.
They feared that governors would go to court against the Federal Government, even as governors have premised their expenditure proposal including minimum wage on their resources.
Peoplesmind
