THE current federal arrangement in the country is unsustainable, and with past and ongoing developments, there are indications that failed states may soon result in a failed federation, validating age-old calls for stronger regions.

Following repeated tinkering with the nation’s constitution and consequent shift in power from the regions to the centre, states of the federation have, rather than boost their capabilities for self-sustenance, relied almost completely on handouts from the federal government.

Last year, the Central Bank of Nigeria was forced to wade in and cough out a staggering N338bn bailout to some states, all of which had hit financial rocks, unable to pay the salaries of their workers, talk little of executing capital intensive projects to boost living standards.

But despite the fiscal largesse, some states are still in the woods. While workers are owed months in arrears, others enjoy epileptic, fragmented or half pay. Meanwhile, pensioners continue to groan, living out their retirement in penury.

In Enugu State, for instance, The Guardian’s investigation showed that some agencies and government parastatals are owed several months in salary arrears. Among them are: the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu State Broadcasting Service, Water Corporation, Rangers Football Club, and local government council workers. Also affected are pensioners from the state civil service and local governments. This is notwithstanding receipt of a N4.207bn bailout package.

And in Osun, the state’s inability to meet its financial obligations is spiraling into strike actions and mass retrenchment. While medical doctors have downed tools over alleged failure by the state government to pay their full salaries since July 2015, among other demands, sack letters have been issued to 400 lecturers of higher institutions under the guise of ‘restructuring’. Again, this is coming after receipt of a whooping N34.988bn lifeline.

In Plateau State, workers celebrated the New Year and Christmas holidays without salaries. “We were not paid November salaries. We were not paid December salaries. And this month, January 2016, is fast going. When shall we be paid? We are going back to square one; back to the dark days,” cried one worker in the state.

Even with a N26.806bn bailout, some retirees in Imo State are owed gratuities and pensions for as many as 20 months. One senior citizen hit by partial stroke told The Guardian, last week, how after series of biometric data capturing and validation exercises, the state still owes him 12 months in pay. His wife, until she passed on December 27, last year, equally failed to receive her gratuity and pension.

Rather than inch towards economic autonomy, bailout and all, it appears Nigeria’s federating units would happily welcome news of yet another lifeline from the central government, a situation that speaks volumes and portends ill for the current federal structure.

“We have agriculture but it has been downplayed because of oil. Nigeria has no business talking about oil money. From 1965 up to 1985, Nigeria’s oil was a luxury. Regions had so much money. It was the regions, what we call states today, that were contributing money to the centre. It was never the centre bringing money into the states. Each state, therefore, has its potentials,” said Cletus Ubun, former lecturer and Cross River State chairman, Conference of Political Parties (CNPP).

“There are states in Nigeria that can generate enough funds. Abuja alone can generate funds from the hospitality industry. State capitals can do that conveniently. You cannot be running Calabar Carnival and say that you do not have funds; you cannot be running Lagos and say that you do not have funds. Each state has its own potentials and should, therefore, utilise it. Cross River State has minerals, like barite in Obubra and granite in Akampka. These are enough sources of revenue. Of course, you have eco-tourism spreading to Boki local government,” Ubun added.