Rivers Rep Pushes For 50% Increase In Oil Derivation

The member representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Awaji Inombek Abiante, has called for increase of oil derivation fund from 13 to 50 per cent.
He told newsmen that the bill, which is a personal member bill, passed first reading since 2019 when it was presented.
“This struggle is already before the National Assembly through a legislative intervention I sponsored”, he said.
He explained that the bill seeks to alter Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to provide that derivation shall not be less than 50 percent of revenue accruing to the Federation Account directly from natural resources.
Expressing appreciation to those who supported to the bill, Hon. Abiante specially thanked former President Olusegun Obasanjo for lending his voice to the injustice of the poor derivation percentage being paid to oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta.
In his words, “At a time when many elder statesmen have chosen to remain silent, Baba Obasanjo has again demonstrated statesmanship, courage and love for equity and true federalism by stating the obvious – that it is unfair and unsustainable for communities that lay the golden egg to be paid a paltry 13% while they suffer environmental degradation, loss of livelihoods, and underdevelopment”.
The federal lawmaker described Chief Obasanjo’s reported advocacy as a moral boost to the struggle for economic justice.
He also solicited the support of more Nigerians, insisting that the struggle for equity, fairness and justice to oil bearing communities and Niger Deltans continues.

Kevin Nengia