Oil and gas host communities in Rivers State have on Thursday, December 19, 2019, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stop paying the 13 per cent derivation fund to the government.
In a letter to the President, they asked that the money be paid directly to them in line with the 1999 Constitution.
The letter was signed by the communities’ chairman Jasper Amahi; Secretary Isaac Igomaha and Public Relations Officer Iginiwari Fidelis.
They lamented that although over N7 trillion accrued to Rivers State since 2000, their people still live in abject poverty.
According to them, the lingering underdevelopment in the face of wealth is one of the factors responsible for youth restiveness in the Niger Delta.
Commending the Buhari administration for efforts towards developing the oil-rich region, the group accused those in authority of exploiting the masses.
It added that paying the oil and gas areas directly will speed up the much-needed development.
The letter reads in part: “We need not say that the principle of derivation was in practice in Nigeria even at 50 per cent long before the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in Oloibiri, precisely, Otuabagi community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
“In the 1999 Federal Constitution, Section 162 (2) as amended, 13 per cent Derivation Fund is succinctly provided and it is to ensure that the oil-producing communities who have lost their livelihood and suffered from pollution, oil spillages, devastation, and degradation of oil exploration activities should be adequately compensated.”
“It is regrettable, therefore, that nothing and we mean nothing practically has been done to ameliorate and better the lives of the poor and downtrodden masses living in abject poverty amid plenty which have made Nigeria thick.
“It is saying the obvious that the restiveness in the Niger Delta region is as a result of the neglect and lack of development everywhere you go in the region where oil and gas producing or impacted communities lack every basic amenities to make life conducive in modern-day living.
“It is ironic and a paradox that what is a blessing to the Nigerian government and other Nigerians is a curse to us who are suffering the brunt of oil production indeed. Nigerian economy revolves on oil revenue, about 95 per cent and yet we have nothing to show for it.
“It is on record that River State since 2000 has collected over N7 trillion as 13 per cent derivation fund but there are poverty and crime.
“This is because of the high-level of impoverishment and total embezzlement of the funds meant for the development of the oil and gas-bearing communities of River State.
“Now, therefore, it is imperative that Mr President fulfils his mission to move the people to the next level.
“To this end, kindly direct, as per the Constitution, the payment of 13 per cent derivation fund directly to the downtrodden masses where oil exploration and gas flaring take place, to take charge of the affairs of the administration of their environments and improve their communities.
“Consequently, we solicit Mr President to use his good offices to so direct the relevant agency to pay the 13 per cent derivation fund to the people directly and not to the state governor or Rivers State government.
“The peace of the Niger Delta region is the growth of the Nigerian economy.”
Efforts to reach Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers state spokesman Simon Nwakaudu were unsuccessful as he did not pick or return his calls.
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