Rule of law provides that 13% derivation must be deducted from the $1bn–Wike
Whereas a Niger Delta group, the United Rivers and Bayelsa State Indigenous Association (URBSIA), Lagos Chapter, has charged the Federal Government to release the derivation components of the N1bn moved from the Excess Crude Act (ECA) for fighting insurgency to the oil producing states of the Niger Delta, the governors of the region have joined the crusade.
Speaking weekend in Port Harcourt, Governor Nyesom Wike argued that for the fact the law governing oil earnings in Nigeria provides for 13 per cent for every money made from oil sales, it is only correct for the federal government to do the needful by giving what is due to the nine oil states in Nigeria.
URBSIA argued that just as the government deployed funds from the national pool to tackle Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, funds should also be released to address the environmental challenges in the Niger Delta in like manner.
Speaking at a world press conference in Lagos, the group warned the Federal Government not to tamper with the 13 per cent derivation fund and ensure payment as and when due.
President of the association, Bob Ogoli, said with the passage of the Petroleum Industrial Governance Bill (PIGB) at the National Assembly, the Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum and Gas Resources should speedily conclude work on the segment of the bill that deals with the interest of oil producing host-communities to bring direct funding for their development.
In another development, Bayelsa State Government has taken positive steps to resolve the crisis that engulfed Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Council of the state.
