News

June 10, 2009

Way out of N-Delta crisis, by lawmaker

By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—The member representing Njaba Local Government Area in Imo State House of Assembly, Mr. Josephat Emenaha, says resource control remains the recipe for ending the on-going crisis in the Niger Delta region.

Emenaha stated this in the House Chamber, while contributing to the debate on a consolidated Bill for a law to amend the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) Law No. 10 of 2006 as amended by Law No. 8 of 2007.

The lawmaker was of the view that 13 percent oil derivation fund for oil producing areas was grossly inadequate and suggested a substantial increase in the fund, even if there can be no total resource control.

In his contribution, the member representing Orsu, Chief Stan Dara, noted that the current organigram of ISOPADEC was faulty and recommended that policy formulation in the Commission should be left in the hands of members of its board, who should be vibrant young men and not retired persons.

On the sharing formula for the 13 percent oil derivation fund, most of the members, including Chief Sam Anyanwu and Dr. Obioma Ekennia spoke in favour of 50 percent, while Chief Henry Igbomezie and Nze Ray Emeana supported 80 and 60 percent respectively.