President Muhammadu Buhari has indicated willingness to revisit the constitutional provision which allocated 13 percent derivation to oil-bearing states to, according to him, see what previous governments had done about it.
He spoke when he received Isoko Traditional Rulers led by His Majesty, Ovrawah Omogha 1, Odiologbo of Oleh, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday.
The president also said he would look into the issue of infrastructural development in the Niger Delta region.
He said: “I will look at the constitutional 13 per cent derivation and what previous governments had done, to know what we can do.”
The president added: “I have listened attentively to your address and I will still update myself with details of development in your area as it relates to oil and gas, and lack of infrastructure.”
Earlier in his address, His Royal Majesty Omogha urged the president to direct the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr, lbe Kachikwu, to call on the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to immediately commence production in the Isoko section of OML 28- Uzere East to increase revenue to government and development of the area.
He also requested the president to direct the NNPC to establish a gas plant and a Modular Refinery in Isoko land, saying “it will be beneficial to the nation and equally create employment, generate income and better the lives of the people.”
Similarly, he appealed that government should direct the oil companies operating in Isoko land namely; NPDC, Heritage, SPDC and AGIP to create an enabling environment for investors to convert the gas flared to electricity and for the existence of a modular refinery.
He alleged that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has forgotten about the Isoko nation in its allocation of projects, saying: “To date, no meaningful project has been cited in Isoko since the inception of this Ministry. The Isoko nation has been grossly marginalized in the allocation of projects by this ministry.
“It will gladden our hearts sir, if you may graciously direct the ministry to remember Isoko in its activities including projects, skill acquisitions centres and other related programmes.
“The management of NDDC should also be directed to execute projects advertised for award and completion since March 2 and give special attention to Isoko ethnic nationality because of our peaceful nature.
“In addition, our Isoko riverine communities in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State should be given special attention in the area of land reclamation.”
The leader of the delegation also lamented the exclusion of Isoko youths in the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme
“Your Excellency, we urge you to graciously direct the Amnesty Office to include our youths in the Amnesty Programme. The total exclusion may send a wrong signal that to be peaceful is a crime,” the royal father pleaded.