Photo: Southern Governors
Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has said that the demand by Southern Governors for five per cent on oil derivation is a realistic demand.
Udom who made the remark in Minna, Niger State while fielding questions from newsmen on Saturday said the demand was not too much when viewed against the backdrop of the devastating effects on the people of the oil producing communities.
He said, “The current three per cent is too little, considering the risks and hazards members of oil producing areas are subjected to.
“The fishermen can no longer earn a living because of oil spillage while the farmers cannot farm. There are numerous other challenges confronting members of oil communities.”
Commenting on the recently passed Petrol Industry Bill (PIB) by the National Assembly, he said that the lawmakers had performed their duties and that the Southern Governors could not take away their functions.
According to him, the southern governors will study the PIB carefully and react to it, adding that more resources were required to assist oil producing communities.
Periscope International recalls that the Senate and House of Representatives recently passed the PIB after being in limbo for nearly two decades.
The lawmakers had approved a 3 per cent derivation fund for host communities, which generated a prolonged heated argument among them prior to the PIB’s passage with the northern and southern members holding divergent views on the issue.
