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Avarice, Greed On Wheels …That Opposition To Derivation Review
When, more than three years ago, this column averred that the economic undertone behind the Boko Haram-inspired insurgency in the North East of Nigeria was to attract Federal attention as did the Niger Delta, some pundits described the work as alarmist. Today, everything points towards that direction.
From an ill-conceived ideology that Western education is evil, to attempt to Islamise the North, and if possible Nigeria, to outlawing education for the girl-child, in preference for early marriage, the Boko Haram campaign of horror have always lacked any clearly discernable grievance befitting national discuss.
But because the North’s real grouse was against the amnesty granted Niger Delta militants and the creation of a Niger Delta Ministry, some Northern elements would rather the insurgency in the North East zone continued. To achieve that they secretly fund the activities of Boko Haram at night and condemn the senseless blood-letting and wanton destruction of property, by day.
The kidnap of the over 200 children from Chibok School accidentally provided more than enough opportunity to attract both national and international attention to their self-inflicted orgy of violence in the North East and parts of the North.
But what has indeed exposed the hitherto secret agenda is the not-too-strange clamour by Northern delegates at the National Conference for an appropriation of five per cent of National resources for the rebuilding of the three Northern zones. This is a condition if they are to support the genuine demand of the oil producing states in the Niger Delta region for either an upward review of the 13 per cent derivation allocation or endorse total resources control.
Ordinarily, a demand for such upward review by oil producing states in the on-going National Conference should not be seen as an attempt to favour the Niger Delta region. Marginalised, under-developed and grossly undermined, the area accounted for more than 80 per cent of national earnings for well over forty years.
There were, and still are environmental concerns with lands, swamps and rivers virtually dead on account of systemic pollution. The peoples’ time-tested occupations of fishing and farming are almost comatose because the yields are nothing to depend on.
In the face of all these, the youth remain largely unemployed, while the gullible girl-child is forced into early prostitution by oil company workers with means. Potable drinking water, electricity supply and motorable roads remained a mirage. But each time civil protests were made the state’s reaction was always that something was in the pipeline for the people.
So, from years of civil protests and political appeals, the Niger Delta agitation changed to resource control campaign. With the attendant disruption of oil exploration and exploitation activities, Nigeria’s earnings dropped drastically with an even greater likelihood of dropping to disturbing levels.
The amnesty package announced by the Yar’Adua Presidency therefore, was a bold attempt top address an obvious wrong, give oil bearing states a sense of integration and in some measure, turn youth hopelessness into hope.
This is quite unlike the Boko Haram misadventure which key point of protest is that Western education is evil and at some stage islamisation of secular Nigeria. And for these, the terrorist group has continued to wage a war on Nigeria, particularly targets in the North East. On the last count, the terror group is known to have claimed more than 3,000 lives, among them defenseless men, women and children. Also, public and private institutions in the flash point areas have been touched with very devastating outcome.
Surely all those will require public support to rebuild as would many victims of the insurgency, some palliatives. But these are not enough reasons for Northern delegates to insist on five per cent of the nation’s revenue as a constitutional right. Not only is it absurd, it is indefencible.
If the three Northern zones are to enjoy five per cent as a blackmail ploy to endorse an upward review of the derivation formula, what happens tomorrow if say, the South-West and South-East engineer similar insurgency?
Should it now be a national passtime to compensate for every insurgency no matter how meaningless? Where in the world are appropriations made for running or anticipated insurgency as a constitutional compulsion.
By nature of their high credentials in public service, delegates at the on-going National Conference on devolution of power, Resource Control and Derivation were depended upon to avoid these questions by doing right. They were expected to fashion a template that would guarantee peaceful co-existence, engender justice and equity and avoid inter-ethnic religious and cultural disharmony.
But it does appear that such high expectations were misplaced. For, they seem bent on pursuing a regional agenda alien to true nationhood, equity and fair-play, in preference for greed, insensitivity and covetousness. Otherwise, why should a genuine demand for a slight review of the Derivation formula attract such frivolous demand for five per cent grant to reward insurgency in the three zones of the North?
Towards the tail end of the Obasanjo Presidency, the National Conference, recommended 18 per cent to be appropriated but that was truncated by the third term agenda injected into the reforms package. Eight years after, why should 18 per cent be an issue?
In the years of the groundnut pyramids, cocoa and other cash crops, when, producers enjoyed between 50 and 100 per cent control of their resources, no special conference was convoked to decide for producers their lawful due. In those days, every federating unit struggled to bring something to the table and not depend solely on handouts from the centre.
Sadly, what today feeds Nigeria being oil and gas, and sourced mainly from the oil producing Niger Delta are exhaustible, while the aftermath of years of oil exploration and exploitation cannot be washed away easily. So, is it too much to ask that improved steps be taken to address environmental challenges, crass under-development and remediation of the thoroughly bastardized soil, swamps, Rivers, creeks, seas and indeed the health of the inhabitants?
Rather than view the demand as a worthy request intended to guarantee improved and hitch-free oil production activities, ensure more national earnings and help develop other parts of the country that bring little or nothing to the revenue allocation table, some are playing politics with the issue.
They are rather agitating for the reward for a senseless Boko Haram-inspired insurgency, which they themselves created, as a condition for approving the slight review of the derivation formula from 13 percent to 18 per cent? Would they rather the Niger Delta demanded resource control and force its youth return to the era of militancy when Nigeria could hardly produce a million barrels of crude per day? For how long shall some Nigerians behave like dogs in a manager- ‘if we can’t get it nobody else should’?
Curiously, owing to the incessant frictions between herdsmen and farmers over frequent destruction of farmlands, it has become a national duty to provide for and fund grazing zones, even if the herdsmen are purely private business men. Also, federal government has in addition to offering to compensate victims of the insurgency, rebuild schools and other public institutions, built Almajiri schools, launched a safe-schools initiative at flash points in the North and other gestures to the Northern area.
That is why to insist that five per cent be appropriated constitutionally for the three Northern zones as reward for the protracted insurgency, is asking for too much. Instead, such a fund should be to address national disasters like unanticipated natural and man-made disasters of disturbing pedigree. It should not be to reward silence against terrorism, which eventually emboldened Boko Haram
My Agony is that some Northern elements are demanding from the oil bearing states, statements of account on how the 13 percent derivation money has been spent over the years, as a condition for any upward review. It is only in Nigeria that, an accidental passenger in a fishing boat, decides how the fishermen must appropriate their catch. “Bukulo Korobo Inji die Ke.”.
Justice Kutigi and Dr Odili
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.