National Confab: Cross River To Ask For Compensation Over Bakassi

Gov Imoke

Apparently articulating its agenda ahead of the forthcoming National Conference, Cross River State Government has urged its delegates to the conference to consciously advance positions that would be in the best interest of the state. Making the charge while addressing citizens of the state who included national and state legislators, members of the state executive council, elder statesmen, politicians, stake holders and youth groups at the Government Lodge in Calabar yesterday. Governor Liyel Imoke, highlighted the agenda of the state to include compensation for the loss of the Bakassi Peninsula and the right to control its solid mineral resources. Also to be canvassed by the yet to be nominated state’s delegates to the conference, according to Governor Imoke are control of National Parks, Inland Waterways, as well as what constitutes the definition of federal roads in the state. While insisting on the need for a true Fiscal Federalism, Governor Imoke said the concept should be seen beyond mere control of resources to enabling states collect and remit revenues from solid minerals. Imoke wondered why the federal government should be collecting revenue from waterways through department of Inland Waterways in states, instead of the states.