One of our biggest banes as a nation is this over-dependency on Abuja to solve every problem. Here are 10 things state governments can do to better our lot without Aso Rock’s involvement

Ayo Akinfe

[1] Kogi state government can attract the likes of Siemens to build a 10,000MW hydro-electric power plant at Idah on the River Niger

[2] Kogi State government can build a Niagara Falls-type tourist attraction at the confluence of the rivers Niger and Benue at Lokoja

[3] Taraba State government can open the world’s largest nature reserve in Gembu

[4] Niger State government can open the world’s largest cattle ranch in Mokwa

[5] Akwa Ibom State government can attract investors to build Africa’s largest sea port at Ikot Abasi

[6] Ondo State government can woo investors to build railway lines to Apapa and Port Harcourt so its cocoa can get to port

[7] Rivers State government can attract shipbuilders to open a shipyard at Degema

[8] Kwara State government can woo the likes of Tate & Lyle to open the world’s largest sugar refinery at Jebba

[9] Anambra State government can build a railway crossing linking Nzam with Illah in Delta State

[10] Zamfara State government can open the world’s largest solar farm at somewhere like Kaura Namoda

Are our governors not just hiding behind this excuse of over-centralisation? There is no law in Nigeria that prevents them from wooing investors and developing their states independent of the federal government.

Lagos State government has proven that you can get things done on your own if you want to. We have seen it with Eko Atlantic City, Lekki, Badagry and the Lagos light railway project.

ayoakinfe@gmail.com