The Confederation of All Progressives Congress Support Groups has called on the state governors not to rely on the monthly funds allocated to states by the Federation Account Allocation Committee.
The group urged them to think outside the box and harness agricultural and mineral resources to complement what they get from the federal government.
The group’s Director-General, Kailani Muhammad, who gave the advice at a news conference in Abuja, said the over-dependence on federal handouts for sustainability by state governments in Nigeria cannot ensure the development of states.
Mr Muhammad said that his concern followed the N200 billion shortfalls remitted to the states in the last FAAC meeting.
According to him, state governors need to work within the context of productivity and creativity for sustainable development of their domains.
He said, “I have said it before and will say it again: the over-dependence on federal hangouts for sustainable development by state governments in Nigeria cannot ensure development of states. The simple thing states need to do is to think outside the box and tap the abundant agricultural and mineral resources to complement what they get from the federal government.’’