By Iheanacho Nwosu and Fred Itua, Abuja

…Protest over new derivation, recommendation

…Peg derivation at 18%, solid mineral fund 5%, 5% fund for North

Again, proceedings at the National Conference came to an abrupt end yesterday, following wrangling over the new recommendations on derivation, solid minerals fund as well as stabilisation fund for the entire Northern region.

Trouble started at about 3p.m. when Professor Ibrahim Gambari read out the recommendations arrived at by select regional leaders from the six geopolitical zones to break the deadlock on some contentious issues.  Gambari had hardly concluded his remarks when delegates began a protest, shouting no, no.

Sensing trouble, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, deputy chairman, who presided over part of the proceedings, called for a motion of adjournment. In the midst of the rowdy session, a delegate, Dr. Kate Okparaeke, was asked to move a motion for adjournment but her voice was drowned by the protests. The Conference hurriedly closed for the day.

In the new recommendations, oil-producing states will get 18 per cent derivation from the current 13 per cent. This is, however, subject to a 10-year periodic review. This is a sharp drop from the 25-35 per cent South-south delegates had advocated for.

The three geopolitical zones of the North got the lion’s share from the new deal, as the regional leaders, led by Amb. Ibrahim Gambari that brokered the deal, recommended that a fund should be set up to develop solid minerals in other states. They recommended that five per cent, coming from the federal allocation should be dedicated to that special fund.

Similarly, the group recommended that another fund to be known as stabilisation, rehabilitation and reconstruction fund be created to cater for the three zones in the North. Gambari, while making his remarks, said the funds would be used in reconstructing the entire Northern region, following the activities of Boko Haram.

“I have the honour to present to this plenary the outcome of the consultations that were held with a view to finding a way forward and promoting consensus on issues that can break us or maybe this country. Mr. Chairman, there was a big relief and high expectations. General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd.) announced that we have been working very closely to broker agreement on the issue of derivation and other related matters.

“We know how emotive that issue is. We have to handle it carefully. The leaders of the six geopolitical zones met and were later expanded to include labour leaders, employers associations, women societies, civil societies and others.

“For two nights and three days, we were engaged in promoting consensus on the way forward with regards to the issue of derivation and related matters. We arrived at the following conclusions and in doing so among us, there have been shifting of oppositions on the part of the two poles.

“In the spirit of compromise and in the context of putting Nigeria first above the interest of our respective constituencies, we realise that the status quo is not sustainable. We have always felt that anytime we reduce our discussions to village level or to the primordial level, we are likely to run into a lot of disagreement. We have moved on to what unites us than what divides us.

“The committee on Devolution of Power recommendation on derivation was raised from 13 to 15 and now not less than 18 per cent. Another position shifted from 100 to 80 and finally to not less than 18 per cent to be reviewed not less than every ten years.

“This group adopted a position and to recommend to the plenary that not less than 18 per cent should be the derivation formula. We have proposed two recommendations. One is that, five per cent revenue allocation to be made for solid mineral development. We know that we are over-relying on oil, which is a depleting asset. The time has come for us to focus attention on other areas.

“The second and more urgent is that we have recommended a new fund to be established, which we call funds for stabilisation, rehabilitation and reconstruction. Five per cent of the allocation will be reserved for that. The fund is principally for the North-east, North-west and North-Central zones.

“These recommendations, if endorsed, will be reflected in the revenue allocation acts. We have also recommended broadly that monies go to those who need them the most and to also enhance the production of mineral resources that our country is endowed with.

“We do not believe that voting will really move us forward. Yes, there will be some winners and losers but in so doing, Nigeria will be biggest loser. That is not why we are here. The entire members of the Conference will not be happy with these recommendations. No one is completely happy. But the recommendations will ensure that no one is completely unhappy. That is precisely what consensus is all about,” he said.

Soon after reading out the recommendation, the hall became a bedlam.  National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, began to shout on top his voice: “Point of order! Point of order!” He was ignored by the vice chairman of the Conference. But the protests from delegates from the South continued.

Speaking with newsmen on the matter, Umeh said: “What we have been witnessing in this Conference is that people start with the truth and end up with lies and mislead the whole Conference. The idea of adjusting the derivation from the minimum of 13 per cent to minimum of 18 per cent is something that can be accommodated by everybody in good conscience. But instead of leaving it at that position, they went and introduced something that had not been discussed in this Conference – establishment of National Stabilisation and Rehabilitation Fund for specific challenges.

“There was no committee that recommended this provision. And in doing that, they said the fund will be for North-east, North-west and North-central because of Boko Haram. We find that to be very insulting.

“You are talking about rehabilitation and reconstruction, what about the South-east and old Eastern region that was completely destroyed during the war? Nothing has happened; nobody has made any provision for reconstruction and rehabilitation, which Gowon promised. He never did anything in that regard to give it effect.

“Today, because they gave an increase of five per cent in the minimum derivation allowed in the constitution, they have taken the same five per cent to give to North-east, North-west and North-central. It is an insult to the delegates to this Conference and we will not accept it.”

Another delegate, Col. Tony Nyiam from Cross Rivers State said they would shoot it down when it comes for up deliberations today.

“It will not fly. How about the South-east where erosion is ravaging? How about where I come from where Bakassi has been taken? It will not fly,” Nyiam stated.

Lanre Ogundipe from Oyo State maintained the same position. “The North cannot come through the back door. They are now saying they are giving the South-south 18 per cent. They are demanding for five per cent for Boko Haram. Remove that five per cent from the proposed 18 per cent, what you have is the current 13 per cent.”

“The issue of Boko Haram is not an issue. Giving five per cent for Boko Haram is killing Peter to pay Paul. When Sani Abacha attacked South-west in the wake of June 12, 1993 elections, did they compensate us? When the Igbo fought the civil war, did they compensate them? Now, they have the issue of flooding in the South. Was there any consideration for the region? It will not work. We will shoot down the five per cent given to the North,” he said.


Source: Sun