Niger Delta Communities Want Their Own Oil Money Back!

Wetin dey happen my people? Niger Delta Civil Society Forum don raise strong voice as dem dey challenge wetin one big oga for Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission talk. Dem dey say oil-producing communities na dem suppose collect the 13 percent oil money, not state governments.

Chairman of RMAFC, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, don enter hot soup as dem don dey accuse am of twisting the Constitution. E talk say the minerals-producing states be the rightful beneficiaries of the money wey dey come from crude oil and gas. But the Niger Delta people no gree gree make this one pass!

For statement wey dem release for Warri, Delta State, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala wey be the Coordinator, talk say this kind talk dey bring wahala and e dey misinterpret wetin the Constitution stand for.

Dem also talk sey dis derivation principle wey dey come from oil na to make sure say the oil-bearing communities go fit find balance for all the katakata wey oil and gas don cause for dem side like environmental problems and loss of livelihoods. The true beneficiaries of this money na the communities wey dey for Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Edo, Ondo, Rivers, and Delta States, and no be wahala for state government hand.

Dem go on to warn say any policy wey go shift the money to state governments go just continue the injustice wey dem don suffer for years. E no be political allocation wey we dey talk about here, na restitution! Dem dey call on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly make dem take action quick, make dem create derivation board wey go manage the money and make sure sey e dey reach the communities directly.

Shehu don once talk say dem dey set up Inter-Agency Technical Committee wey go verify where oil wells dey for Naija. But the Niger Delta Civil Society Forum dey remind am say e go better make dem also address the bigger injustice wey dey affect the host communities instead of just resolving state quarrels.

Dem don raise alarm say if dem continue to marginalize the communities, e fit lead to more anger and instability for the Niger Delta region. Na wetin the leaders suppose see and act upon ASAP! Make we dey follow this matter, because e don red for ground.