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Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, representing Cross River North at the National Assembly, has renewed calls for the creation of Ogoja State, arguing that the move would “take governance closer to the people,” harness natural resources, and bring about development.
Speaking on what he calls a long-standing demand during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Jarigbe emphasised that the push for Ogoja State is not a recent development but a cause that has been championed for over two decades. He recalled that the Ogoja people had previously led delegations, including discussions with the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, to make their case.
He said, “It’s more realistic when you take governance to the door steps of the people. It is also very good when you have people who understand their peculiarities, their environments, at the helm of affairs. They will now be on top of the issues and deal with them conclusively. I think that creating a state would take governance closer to the people.
“I am from Cross River state and we are agitating for the creation of Ogoja state and that’s because we know that we can harness our natural resources and harness our state while also depending on federal allocation.”
The lawmaker argued that Cross River’s vast size has made it difficult to fully harness its resources, and splitting the state would allow for more efficient governance and economic growth. He reiterated that the demand for Ogoja State is not a quest for political power but a strategic move to unlock the region’s full potential.
Jarigbe said, “This conversation started so many years back. This conversation started more than 20 years ago and the Ogoja people led a delegation to even speak with the late Nnamdi Azikiwe on this issue. So, it is not something that just came up and it is not a quest for power. I think that our resources have not been harnessed properly and because of how large the state is.”
Jarigbe also acknowledged that other groups are also advocating for the creation of more states across Nigeria but maintained that viability should be the key factor in determining new states. “I cannot explain what they have in their states and why they want states to be created but I think that any state that is viable, that has proper potentials and the resource, the creation of more states will bring about development,” he added.
Jarigbe’s comments come shortly after the House of Representatives clarified that it is not proposing the creation of 31 new states but has received 31 proposals submitted as private member bills, for the creation of more states in Nigeria.
Melissa Enoch
The post Creation Of Ogoja State Will Bring Governance Closer To The People, Says Senator Jarigbe Agom appeared first on Arise News.
