Regional Development Cooperation under a Federalist Structure.

By Chinedu Okoye 

A Call for Change:

The paper merits of a return to the Regional System of governance in Nigeria, essentially decentralizing some government functions of the Federal Government seems to have arguable merits and appeals in recent times.

The crux of the argument in favor of a regional system is that we have had a stalled progress under the current system, but these are due to incompetencies inefficiencies in the policy-making of successive governments.

As such we have seen uneven growth amongst regions and uneven representation in leadership as well, making certain regions feel left out and creating ethnic tensions with calls for even more intense regional demarcation.

In light of the identifiable issues with the unitary system, we propose a solution that cuts inbetween, ensures inclusive growth for all regions under the current structure - a regional development commission for cooperation amongst states within regions.

The Regional Development Cooperation Proposition:

On the argument that the political infrastructure would be better off as is than modified we propose a solution that addresses the core of the problem - regional development. A commission dedicated to each of the six regions to advice, oversee, regularmte and enforce policies to enhance the developmental needs of the region. 

This regional development commission, would be a body for each of the six political zones (as in the NDDC for the South South). It will be charged with overseeing common regional development projects, and splitting it into parts or gathering funding from the individual states budget in the region, for short, medium and long term growth projects.

A select group of sectors identified below would be the focus of the commissionin an incentivized partnership with the respective State Governments who will be represented by the deputy Governors of the said states. And a collaboration with the Federal Government through relevant ministries and extra ministerial departments.

Seven (7) Tentative Sectors of overall importance:

Transportation: 

Here the commission will look develop transportation network linking each state and local governments within states tailored to the needs and available infrastructure of the region. The emphasis would be on road (for immediate delivery), and rail (for future plans).

Busses and vehicles could be provided, the NURTW would also be involved and operate in each states as the executors, and the Transport agencies in the state would oversee the partnerships with private transport operators.

Pricing would be made moderate and fuel delivered to the vehicles at subsidized prices and commercial drivers under the scheme would be prioritized.

Security:

Similar to the Amotekun, regions could create state security agencies that would work with the Federal security agencies. The agents would provide intelligence and reduce the load on federal security personnels in surveillance as they collaborate on improving the quality of criminal investigations. 

Healthcare:

A Comprehensive health insurance scheme built on the back of NHIS, would be pursued by state health commissions in coollaboration with the ministry of health to get individuals enrolled in basic health insurance programs.

For delivery, private and public hospitals can be enlisted as partners and makeshift healthcare centers could be created (short-term) as more formal hospitals and clinics spring up naturally under this scheme (longer-term).

Residents in these states would be the only ones eligible to enroll and payments can be made by anyone in their behalf with the Fedral and State governments subsidizing the care cost minimally. 

Education:

The Federal and State government would put forward a blueprint for the Commission to follow improve access and quality of education. This would include plans to refurbish, equip existing institutions, and deliver on more schools to accomodte a growing population.

Agriculture:

Similar to education, a blue print for improving agricultural output would be put forward by the federal and state governments to the commission. The commission charged with key deliverables would look to harness inbound resources in all states by enabling farmers and allied businesses (storage, processors, etc).

Power:

The recent electricity bill granting autonomy to States, presents an opportunity for regional collaboration to improve electricity generation. States with abundant resources (hydro, solar) can partner with other states under this regional development commission framework.

Regions could collaborate in grid expansion, capacity building, joint research and development and even attraction of investments in the power sector. This could lead to;

- Increased electricity generation capacity,

- Energy security,

- Reduces reliance or burden on the federal government,

- Overall regional economic growth.

Industry: 

The States can collectively implore appropriate policies to promote industry and intra-regional trade, and work to attract investments from other regions. These policies would be discussed and formulated by the commission on the input of the State Regional Development Commissioner (the sitting deputy Governor).

The entire department on Industry would be spare headed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), and the State Commerce and Insdutry Commission.

Structure:

The Commission would be headed by a Regional Development Commissioner who answers to the President and is appointed by the President. His role is simple, communicate and implement a tentative blueprint (subject to change), to the Regional Development committee Chiefs (in the person's of the Deputy Governors/State Regional Development Commissioner).

These RDCs would represent the Governor but aanswerable to the State House, or the representatives of the people of the state. The governor and deputy are being made in this capacity to work for the people, and answerable to the people.

This would tie the State Executive to the process of the regional development such that his plans have to be accomodative of it. That means committing to targets under the mandate of the state governments, that are complimentary and instrumental to the Commissions project.

Partners and Stakeholders:

The commission will work with relevant federal ministries and agency where necessary in other to unite and execute the federal government plan for the region(or part of it) through them.

Potential Partners and Stakeholders:

1. Federal Ministry of Transportation and the State Transportation Commission.

2. Nigerian Union of Road and Transportation Workers (NURTW).

3. Ministry of Health (and it's State Counterpart.

4. Ministry of Education

5. Private Healthcare providers.

6. Ministry of Agriculture.

7. Local Farmers or Farming Union.

Benefits of the Regional Development Commissions:

Inclusive Growth and Synergy: By establishing a body that forces government collaboration at all levels and promotes individual regional goals, the federal government can achieve a synergic socio-economic advancement across all regions such that no state is left too far behind.

Regional Cooperation and Coordination: The hypothetical Regional Development Commissions essentially decentralizes the implementation of the the federal and state government plan for the regions development.This could encourage regional cooperation through policy coordination without tampering with the status quo - the economic autonomy of the State.

Job creation: Increased delivery of key services to the society in various sectors above would be positive for employment as thousands of jobs can be created in every State.

Security: A collaboration between state/regional local security forces with federal security agencies would make for an effective combination in the fight against insecurity. This could greatly improve the prevention and resoonses to crime, deterring the criminal industry overtime. 

Human Development: Enforcing regional cooperation on issues like healthcare and education as mentioned above is expected to yield more results and improvethe overall quality of the population.