The South South is seething with anger against the Coalition of Northern Leaders, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen.
Leaders of the geo-political zone are outraged by Thursday’s statement by the Junaid Muhammed-led group that the financial resources available to the South South states are far beyond their executive capacity to manage.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, who spoke through the Communication Manager, Government House, Asaba, Mr. Paul Odili, called the pronouncement of the Northern group insulting and provocative while Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State said anyone doubting the financial capability of the state should come and see things for himself.
The convener of the coalition, Dr.Muhammed, told The Nation last night that much of the oil credited to the oil producing states does not belong to them as it comes from offshore and therefore belongs to the entire country.
Governor Uduaghan said of the coalition’s statement: “The rambling press statement by Dr. Junaid Mohammed, convener of a northern pressure group, is insulting and provocative and without foundation in reality. The arrogance shown by Dr Junaid Mohammed is symptomatic of a pattern of thinking that has not helped the unity, stability and progress of this country.
“To claim, among other things, that the revenue from derivation is beyond the capacity of the South-South governors to manage is patronising as well as mischievous. It is obvious that what Dr Mohammed would prefer is a previous system which restricted the revenue allocation coming to the South-South to one per cent.
“The real issue in Nigeria, contrary to the arguments of Dr Mohammed, is a return to fiscal federalism. This country was built on the foundation of fiscal federalism; let each region enjoy the benefits of what it is able to produce. It is oil today, it can be anything else tomorrow.
“With Dr Mohammed’s statement lacking substance, it is unnecessary to join issues with him as there is clear evidence of ignorance. He has no understanding of the difficulties and challenges and sufferings the Niger Delta terrain has imposed on the people and the government of the region.
“In Delta State, His Excellency Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has committed his administration to building a state that is less dependent on oil, a vision that demands enormous investment in infrastructure and human capital. It is a work in progress and Deltans are satisfied with efforts being made.
“It is very likely Dr Mohammed is not aware of this, being so far away, nor is it our intention to submit the programmes of the administration for his review.
‘’Governor Uduaghan, who is aware of the neglect and challenges of developing the near impossible terrain, has justifiably demanded an increase in derivation to meet the yearnings of the people, in particular the oil bearing communities, who continue to bear massive brunt of environmental damage arising from oil exploration.”
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umana, speaking for Governor Akpabio in an interview in Uyo, faulted the argument of the northern coalition.
Umana said, if anything, Akwa Ibom has become a model of financial prudence as all the resources accruing to it have been put into productive use, and it has demonstrated to Nigerians that it is possible to use revenue accruing to the state for development.
His words: “We are lucky to have oil today that is keeping Nigeria. Supposing there is no oil, where do we go? That is why in Akwa Ibom State, the government is building enduring infrastructure and the state is fully ready for industrialisation.
“Also, we have strategically branched into tourism and other investment opportunities such as the Ibaka Deep Sea port, so that we can have something that would sustain the state supposing there was nothing to look up to.
“So there is no cause for worry. Anybody who is thinking or wondering how funds are been put to use should come and learn from Governor Godswill Akpabio.
“Akwa Ibom is a model of financial prudence. Akwa Ibom has demonstrated to Nigerians that it is possible to use revenue accruing to the state for the development of the state.
“The governor has shown prudence and capacity to manage resources. He has also used the resources coming to the state to develop the state. So, there is no need for anybody getting bothered about how the resources coming to Akwa Ibom state are being put to use.
“In fact, we need more resources because we have a lot of things to do. We have a lot more to do. Let me also say this: there is no need to clamour or fight over anything; Nigeria is totally viable. Everywhere in the country is viable. So, I can only advise every part of the country to look inwards.”
But the Convener of the Coalition, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, hinted last night that the matter might end up in court. He said the current sharing formula of oil revenue was unacceptable to the North because, in his view, the bulk of the oil credited to the South South states comes from offshore and therefore belongs to the whole country.
He said: ”We are insisting that the revenue allocation is illegal. It is not what we want.
“The fact on ground today is that 70 per cent out of 100 per cent of our oil comes from offshore.
“The 70 per cent of that revenue must not be subjected to derivation; only 30 per cent should be subjected to derivation. This is in line with the Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC).
“The nation must remember that crude oil is not only the source of revenue for government. There are Customs duties, Value Added Tax (VAT) and receipts from non-oil exports.
“But all these revenues are being lumped together and 13 per cent derivation of these is given to only three states–Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta. This trend is no longer acceptable.”
He also said northern leaders were consulting on their next line of action on the report of the Justice Alfa Belgore Committee once it is submitted.
He said a legal action might not be ruled out as it is obvious that something has to be tested in court.
No comments:
Post a Comment