Governors in the South-West geopolitical zone are seeking permission to allow states to collect all taxes and levies on Federal Government roads in their respective territories, which have been rehabilitated with funds belonging to the states.

The governors are also calling for the repeal and re-enactment of the Land Use Act to allow states to control mineral resources within their territories.

These are part of the proposals made by the South West Governors’ Forum to the National Assembly on the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.

Presently, states get approval to fix federal roads, while they file claims for refund.

Some states like Lagos and Ogun have, however, made proposals to jointly rehabilitate some federal roads and collect tolls on them.

Our correspondent obtained the document containing the proposals by the governors, which was presented to the South-West caucus of the National Assembly.

The governors had met with the caucus at the National Assembly in Abuja behind closed doors on July 6, 2021.

At the meeting were governors Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum; Seyi Makinde of Oyo; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti; Gboyega Oyetola of Osun; Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

Both parties had resolved to set up a joint Senate and House committee to ensure that proposals in the memorandum presented by the governors were captured in the constitution review.

The document, dated July 5, 2021, was titled, ‘Proposals for the Review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended): Presentation by South West Governors’ Forum’.

The governors are seeking amendment to Chapter 6, Part 1, Section 163 of the Constitution.

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They proposed that Item D of Part II of the Second Schedule of the Constitution be amended to read, “In the exercise of its powers to impose any tax or duty on (a) capital gains, incomes or profits of persons other than companies; (b) documents or transactions by way of stamp duties; and (c) road taxes collected in respect of federal roads within a state where the state has expended financial and other material resources in the management and maintenance of such roads, the National Assembly may, subject to such conditions as it may prescribe, provide that the collection of any such tax or duty or the administration of the law imposing it shall be carried out by the government of a state or other authority of a state.”

On fiscal federalism, the governor said, “The Land Use Act should be repealed and a new law enacted giving states ownership of land and all resources therein.

“States should pay royalties to the Federal Government from the income they receive from exploiting their natural resources.

“Provisions should be inserted in the Constitution to make it possible for the Federal Government to come to the rescue of a state in emergency situations like economic and natural and unnatural disasters.”