Ijaw call for 10-zone structure

By Festus Ahon

UGHELLI—IJAW National Congress, INC, has advocated the creation of 10 geo-political zones as a way of addressing the injustice done to minority ethnic nationalities in the country.

In the same vein, Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama advocated for state police and backed the call for 20 percent oil derivation formula.

The proposed zones include Upper-Northern, Middle Belt, Western, Eastern, Niger-Delta, North-West, North-East and the Mid-West regions, among others.

Speaking through its legal adviser, Mrs Veronica Bamuza-Mutu, during the public hearing on review of the 1999 Constitution organised by Mr. Nicholas Mutu, member representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency, INC said the present six geo-political zones arrangement am-ounted to injustice to the minority ethnic groups.

Bamuza-Mutu lamented that the six-zone structure had not provided same level of political opportunities to all the ethnic groups, adding that the creation of 10 zones would provide level playing ground for all.

Meanwhile, the people of Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency, weekend, called for the establishment of state police. They also advocated for 20 percent oil derivation.

Stating this during the People’s Public Forum on the review of the 1999 Constitution at Udu, Udu Local Government Area of the state, they said 20 percent oil derivation was the least they could ask for in the reviewed constitution.

The state Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, in his remarks, said the establishment of state police would pave the way for the states to function properly. On the oil derivation formula, Utuama said the decision of the people should be upheld.