NIGERIA: Again, Members Fail to Reach Agreement on Resource Control, Derivation

0 0
Spread the love
Read Time:2 Minute, 31 Second
For the third time, the National Conference Committee on Power Devolution has failed to reach agreement on the resource control and the derivation principle.
 
The committee had adjourned twice last week after failing to reach agreement on resource ownership and control. The co-chairman of the Power Devolution Committee, Obong Victor Atta had told newsmen last Tuesday before adjourning for the three day holidays as a result of the World Economic Forum on Africa, said that a decision would be reached yesterday (Monday). It was gathered that after the delegates could not reach a decision after a long debate.
 
The South-west delegates, it was gathered abandoned their South-south counterpart who were canvassing resource ownership and retention of the 13 per cent derivation.
 
The debate was jinxed as some Northern delegates quoted section 44 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, which stated that all minerals and oil resources in Nigeria belong to the federal government. Specifically, they argued that unless section 44 (3), which stated that: “The entire property in and control of all minerals, mineral oils and natural gas … shall be vested in the Government of the Federation.”
 
According to the Northern delegates, there was nothing the conference could do unless the section 44 (3) was amended, as anything they do would be illegal, null and void and of no consequence.
 
A delegate from Edo State, Prof. Eddy Eragbe told newsmen that no decision has been reached, but explained that the the conference was to maintain the status quo of 13 per cent. However, he said that progress had been made in both the vertical and horizontal revenue sharing formula.
 
 
However, another delegate from Rivers State, Ann Kio Briggs said that as far as the South-south was concerned, their mandate remains resource control and resource ownership, where the zone would be paying royalty to the federal government.
 
Briggs said that no decision would be reached at the resource control and ownership that would be acceptable to the Niger Delta Region that is outside at least a 50 per cent control. She explained that it was the mandate given to members of the Power Devolution Committee from the South-south.
 
“The outcome of today’s (yesterday) committee work on the power devolution was stalemated, because we did not agree on the issue of resource control and ownership,” she said acknowledging that delegates shouted at each other.
 
“Yes we shouted at each other, because of the percentages and the insensitive comments made by both sides.
 
This is because we are discussing issues that have to do with money and what some people have to give up and all that,” she explained.
 
The Co-chairman of the committee, Victor Atta expressed optimism that there would be a compromise on the controversial issue of resource control and ownership. He said that a small committee has been set up to harmonise all divergent views on the matter.
Happy
Happy
0 %
Sad
Sad
0 %
Excited
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
Angry
0 %
Surprise
Surprise
0 %

Facebook Comments

Previous post Chibok Girls: Delegate Embarks on Solo Protest at Venue
Next post NIGERIA: Police Read Riot against Lynching

Average Rating

5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.