News

Confab: S’South Opts For 22.5%-50% Derivation

Published

11 years ago

July 9, 2014

L-R: Chairman, World Pension Summit for Africa, Mrs Grace Usoro; Co-chairman, World Pension Summit, Mr Harry Smorenberg; Acting Director-General of Pencom, Ms Chinelo Anohu-Amazu; President Goodluck Jonathan; Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Co-chairman, World Pension Summit, Mr Eric Eggink and Chairman, Senate Committee on Pencom, Sen. Aloysius Etuk, at the World Pension Summit in Abuja last Monday.

At last, the National Conference, Monday and yesterday debated the thorny issues of resource control, derivation principle and devolution of powers, as it considered the report of its Committee of Devolution of Power, with South-South delegates opting for between 22.5 per cent and 50 per cent derivation.
As fervent debates flourished during the plenary session of the conference following conferees commencement of debate on the report of the Committee on Devolution of Power, expectations were high, and tension beclouded the plenary but the sagacity of the Conference Chairman, Justice Idris Kutugi, who presided, doused the tension.
The committee’s slim-volume submission, loaded with serious issues, focused principally on devolving power from the centre to the federating units; and the issue of resource control.
The report was however applauded by the delegates shortly after it was presented by the co-chairmen, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, and the former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie.
Critically examined in the report, whose recommendations would be subjected to vote by the conference later, were the issues of resource control, derivation principle, revenue sharing formula, and the development and exploitation of mineral resources nationwide.
The report also examined 68 items cited in the Second Schedule, Part One of the 1999 Constitution, which deals with the Exclusive Legislative List; and 30 items contained in Part Two of the Fourth Schedule bordering on the Concurrent Legislative List.
While most delegates from the South, particularly, the South-South and South-East said derivation should be increased from the present 13 per cent to between 22.5 per cent and 50 per cent, others suggested that it should be reduced further from 13 per cent.
Resource control, perhaps, was the most debated aspect of the report.
Each delegate, depending on where he or she comes from, wanted considerable level of control of resources in view of the adoption of true federalism by the conference while others said the issue did not arise as far as they were concerned.
Those who canvassed the view that states should control their resources said they did so in the spirit of devolution of power which allows the states to only pay taxes or make appropriate financial contributions to the Federal Government.
Others argued that mineral resources in Nigeria are owned in law by the Federal Government as contained in Section 44(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Section 44(3) states that: “Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the entire property in and control of all minerals, mineral oil and natural gas in, under or upon any land in Nigeria or in, under or upon the territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria shall vest in the Government of the Federation and shall be managed in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly.”
In its report, which is still subject to ratification by the conference, the committee said that after heated discussion on resource control, it unanimously agreed that the issue of derivation should rather be discussed instead of resource control.
It said its decision was informed by the emotive nature of the issue, which in the committee’s view was capable of destabilising the country.
On derivation, the committee said some delegates were of the view that derivation should be increased either in a quantum or gradual manner; while others were opposed to any form of increase.
Instead, some members had proposed the reintroduction of the off-shore/on-shore oil dichotomy in derivation payments; at the same time, while others kicked against it.
The committee said that even the abolition of intervention measures such as the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Niger Delta Development Commission and the Amnesty Programme were robustly discussed.
After long debates which spanned four days, the report indicated that a consensus was reached on the issue to the effect that the status quo be maintained in order to avoid upsetting the existing peace and equilibrium in the polity, which it described as a product of years of political engineering and craftsmanship.
On fiscal federalism which basically deals with how revenues are generated and distributed among the federating units in the federation, the committee concluded that the powers conferred on the Federal Government to keep custody of and determine the terms and manner of fund allocation from the Federation Account negate the principles of fiscal federalism.
The committee spotted what it called imbalance in favour of the Federal Government in the sharing formula, and maintained that the imbalance has adversely affected the performance of the federating units, and therefore asked for a review.
It recommended that the powers of the Federal Government under Section 162(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to prescribe the terms and manner of sharing national revenue should be exercised through the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
The committee argued that RMAFC should at the same time consult the federal and state governments before presenting a draft bill on the matter to the National Assembly for enactment into law.
On vertical revenue sharing, which deals with how revenue is disbursed to federating units, the committee emphasised the need for equilibrium between the central government and the federating units, comprising states and local governments.
It said that it conducted examination of specific development challenges of states and local governments, and concluded that to a great extent, rapid economic and social development could be achieved in the country if the percentage of revenues allocated to states and local governments were reviewed upwards.
It recommended that the sharing formula for funds accruing to the Federation Account among the three tiers of government should be: Federal Government 42.5 per cent instead of the present 52.68 per cent; state governments 35 per cent instead of the current 26.72 per cent; and the local governments 22.5 per cent to replace the current 20.60 per cent.
The committee further recommended that the percentage given to population and equity of states in the existing sharing formula be reduced while that assigned to social development factor should be increased to a higher percentage to ensure accelerated development of all parts of the country.
The proposed sharing formula by the committee is based on: diminished emphasis on principles of equality of states and population; increased emphasis on social development factor; and internally generated revenue.
On mines and minerals including oil fields, oil mining, geological surveys and natural gas, the committee recommended that they should be retained on the Exclusive Legislative List as specified in the 1999 Constitution but should be amended to read thus: “The governments of states where the mining activities take place shall be involved in matters relating thereto; (and that) the government of the federation shall create a special fund to develop mines and minerals in states where such resources are undeveloped.”
According to the committee, the overriding need to bring all other mineral resources of the country, hitherto undeveloped, into the mainstream development by activating National Strategic Plan for exploitation of minerals to boost their contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), were considered in making this recommendation.
Still on mineral development, the committee recommended a constitutional provision for the establishment of a Special Fund for the development of mineral resources in the country.
It further proposed that 4.5 per cent of the total revenue accruing to the federation should be devoted to this special fund when established.
In addition, the committee wants the Special Fund to be in the form of a Venture Capital Fund, advising that a competent body should be established to administer the fund according to the guidelines that shall be specified by the National Assembly.
Before the presentation of the committee’s report to plenary, a delegate, Professor Awalu Yadudu, addressed the conference to “state his own part of the story” on the raging controversy of “consensus group and the existence of position paper”.
Yadudu debunked insinuations that he was primed to “scatter” the conference as claimed by another delegate but rather insisted that his decision to opt out of the consensus committee was informed by the fact that most of the decisions adopted in the position paper presented to plenary were not part of the recommendations of any committee.
Earlier, an elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, had addressed the conference, and harped on the need to put the interest of the country above sectional and personal interest.
Clark expressed regret that the consensus committee constituted to resolve contentious issues that may arise in the course of adoption of the recommendations of committees was “scattered” midway.
The Ijaw leader said he was sad that issues that could scatter or dent the credibility of the conference were being raised close to the end of the parley.
He said everyone must understand that Nigeria “is made up of equal citizens. Nobody is superior to the other. We came to this conference in order to have consensus on contentious issues.”
He appealed to delegates to see the National Conference as an ample opportunity to contribute their quota to the task of reforming Nigeria.

Justus Awaji, Abuja

News

Police Confirm Death Of Two Officers In Imo, Finger IPOB

Published

3 days ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Police Force has indicted the dreaded group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over the killing of two police officers, and injuring of one civilian who was rushed to the hospital after sustaining bullet wounds in a coordinated attack in Imo State on June 11, 2024.
The State Police Command, had in a press release accused the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) of being responsible for the killing of the two police officers and injuring of a civilian at Akabo community in Ikeduru Council Area of Imo State.
According to the police, the incident was perpetrated in the early hours of the day by the hoodlums. They attacked one Christian Ama Chukwu in front of his shop at 79, Umudike, Umunnemoche Abazu, Akabo in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, engaged them in a prolonged gun battle and ultimately repelled the attack. Unfortunately, two police personnel lost their lives in the attack. An unnamed civilian was also critically injured in the attack,and he sustained serious injuries in the course of the shootout.
Some residents who spoke with newsmen said the hoodlums were first noticed alighting from their vehicles and harassing residents for not participating in the seat-in or seat-at-home protests. They said the situation got out of control when they opened fire on an approaching police vehicle.
Another eye witness, IfechukwuOpara, said the gunmen then moved around the village in the community,shooting sporadically to aid their escape. “They were driving around the community in a reckless manner while shooting in the air to scare people away before they finally left”, he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye had confirmed the incident.
He described it as “a senseless, unwarranted and unprovoked act of violence which must not go unsolved.”
According to him, the police would not leave any stone unturned in the quest to arrest and prosecute the criminals.
Subsequently, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, had mobilised a Police Tactical Squad of the Command to track down the killers, and said, “As I am talking to you now, an intense operation is currently going on in Ikeduru Local Government Area with a view to apprehending the hoodlums responsible for the attack.”
DSP Okoye noted that killings were another painful and stark reminder of the sacrifices police officers make in the commitment to secure the country.

News

Cleric Harps On Significance Of Thanksgiving

Published

3 days ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The General Overseer of Firstlove Assembly and renowned preacher, Senior Pastor Simeon Afolabi, has highlighted the significance of thanksgiving, saying it remains one of the best ways to show gratitude to God, and also one of the ways to please God Almighty.
Pastor Afolabi gave the indication as the guest preacher at the annual thanksgiving celebration of Holy Hills Church in Port Harcourt last Saturday.
The 2025 Holy Hills Church annual thanksgiving, tagged, “Thanksgiving of God’s Mercies”, witnessed the gathering of christian faithful to celebrate God’s unwavering love and mercies despite insurmountable challenges.
The General Overseer said the essence of thanking God cannot be over-emphasised, considering the good things He is doing for mankind.
The renowned man of God said one of the ways to please God is not to take His act for granted but to thank Him for everything He has done.
He urged churches to endeavour to make thanksgiving their priority so as to attract more blessings from God.
Pastor Afolabi noted that gratitude is a way of God, hence, “it behooves us to do it every moment of the day,” and opined that the Holy Hills Church was on the right track by recognising God’s mercy and kindness through thanksgiving.
In his remarks, the General Overseer of Holy Hills Church and Chief Host, Pastor Sunny Ikonwa said the aim of the annual thanks- giving celebration was to thank God for His mercy, saying, the annual event which is like Christ Mass to his members could best be described as God’s faithfulness upon their lives.
He said the annuall meeting remains God’s project which the church attaches great importance to and ensures its success every year.
He noted that the church under him will continue to sensitise people and preach to them on the way of peace.
The cleric recalled that the church that started under a palm tree has made tremendous improvement by God’s grace.
Pastor Ikonwa said his mission which is doing what pleases his Maker remains his watchword.
The Holy Hills Church pastor said the mercy of God has been able to sustain his people, saying, the prayer of a Christian goes a long way to rekindle the heart of God, stressing that it is for this singular reason that the church had come in His presence with something measurable to it, as a way of showing appreciation.
According to him, anything big starts small just as his church has done.
He said to the glory of God, today, the church has been growing in His direction.
He, therefore, admonished Christians to have hope and faith in God in the face difficulties, urging the government to always put the interest of the people first, as it has everything it takes to make life meaningful for the citizenry.
Pastor Ikonwa noted that government should be able to implement policies geared towards bettering the lives of the people.
The climax of the programme was the cutting of the thanksgiving cake by the General Overseer and his wife .Various organs of the church also made special presentations to God.

News

‘Tinubu Committed To Environmental Sustainability, Benefits To Ogoni’

Published

3 days ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

As the Ogoni cleanup programme being implemented by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) continues to record significant milestones across thematic areas, the Federal Government says such gestures further demonstrate President Bola Tinubu’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to environmental sustainability and ensuring the Project brings benefits to Ogoni people.
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who made this assertion during the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water schemes in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, in line with HYPREP’s mandate to provide potable water to Ogoniland, said the provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life.
The latest commissioning brings the water stations to 16, providing access to potable water to 45 Ogoni communities , a development the Minister explains as part of President Tinubu’s commitment to peace ,environmental justice and socio-economic empowerment in Ogoniland, a beacon of hope for communities long affected by environmental degradation.
Lawal noted that the latest commissioning is restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource .
‘’The provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life. It also signifies a renewed commitment to ensuring that the people of Ogoniland reap the full benefits of environmental remediation efforts.We
will continue to ensure that communities in Ogoniland have access to clean, safe and sustainable drinking water. With this initiative, we are not just commissioning infrastructure but restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource”, he said.
While commending the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, development partners, stakeholders and traditional rulers, among others for their relentless commitment towards the actualisation of these projects, he urged communities to protect and take ownership of the projects, emphasising that their longevity and effectiveness depend on their collective efforts of maintaining and protecting them for posterity.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey maintained that the Project remains resolute in its resolve to ensure that it completes and delivers all projects initiated within the time frame for the use and benefit of Ogoni people in line with the directives of the Governing Council and under the leadership of the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal.
To achieve this, Zabbey explained that “We
continue to work closely with community leaders, youth and women, contractors and other stakeholders to ensure solutions are identified and implementation continues smoothly.
‘’We remain guided by the principle of partnership, dialogue, transparency and accountability, knowing that sustainable progress is best achieved through collaboration and mutual understanding. That is the hallmark of HYPREP,” he said.
He appealed to the people to continue to reinforce peace and understanding, using dialogue as a vital tool for resolving disputes, especially around project sites and within communities, noting that the concurrent implementation of over 100 projects across Ogoniland reflects the seriousness and dedication of HYPREP, a momentum that must be sustained through mutual trust and collaboration.
For the Project Coordinator, the event was an ideal opportunity to provide a project status update to Ogoni people, as he excitedly announced the milestone achievements recorded so far to include environmental remediation-94 percent completion in Phase 1 of mangrove restoration; shoreline at 67.1percent; Phase 2 land remediation at 36.55 percent; potable water-14 completed water facilities inaugurated, supplying potable water to 40 Ogoni communities, while the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities last Saturday increased the number of communities with access to clean and safe water to 45.
Other milestones are the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) at 92 percent complete and the processes of operationalising the Centre has begun with the just concluded colloquium, while the Ogoni Power Project is progressing steadily with wayleave compensation and construction works at Bodo and Wiiyaakara substations ongoing. The Ogoni Specialist Hospital is at 76.8 percent with 98.7 percent achieved in the Buan Cottage Hospital. The Ogoni public study being conducted by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); over 7,000 women and youths have benefited from various employment opportunities, while over 5,000 have been trained in multiple skills and provided start-up skits, among other programmes.
Zabbey further hinted of the commencement of some demand-driven skills areas this quarter, which include cybersecurity, full-stack development, mud logging, software development, GIS and commercial diving.
In their separate goodwill messages, the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Dumnamene Deekor; Chairman,Great Green Wall, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, MrNwizug Gordon; representative of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development, MrIgoWeli; former Secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani; and former Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya; all commended the Minister of Environment and HYPREP for their commitment to the Ogoni cleanup programme.
Earlier, the Minister and his entourage had paid a courtesy call on Mene Bua Kenwigbara, King D.Y Barile, at his palace, where the former was conferred a chieftaincy title of MeneAnua Le Maa 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom; and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP as Mene doo Letam 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom.

Also decorated were the Chairman of Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari.

Highpoints of the event were the formal commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities by the Minister and the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Tony Attach,represented by MrIgoWeli; the symbolic issuance of education support Items;and the visit to the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Park for symbolic tree planting by the Minister; the Project Coordinator; BoT Chairman; Senator Abe; IgoWeli; Director General, NEASRA, Prof Innocent Barikor; and Zina Wiwa, the daughter of the legendary environmentalist; and the visit to the CEER.

In two years, the Minister of Environment, has visited Ogoniland five times to commission 16 water stations, supplying potable water to 45 Ogoni communities and ensuring that other projects get equal attention, a clear demonstration of his unflinching commitment to the accelerated implementation of the Ogoni cleanup programme in line with Priority 3, Deliverable 3 of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and driven under the visionary and passionate leadership of Prof NenibariniZabbey as Project Coordinator.

By: Donatus Ebi