By Jimitota Onoyume

Coordinator of Rivers state chapter of the Niger Delta Civil Society Forum, NDCSF, Comrade Bernice Tamuno-Obukorubo, has reiterated the call of the group on the federal government to immediately halt payment of the 13 percent derivation to state governments in the Niger Delta region , insisting that the action violates the provision of the constitution.

Tamuno-Obukorubo who spoke at a media parley in Asokoro, Abuja, alleged that oil and gas producing communities in the Niger Delta were yet to feel the impact of the dedication fund, stressing that the communities were still battling with gross issues of underdevelopment , poverty arising from neglect despite the provision of thirteen percent in the constitution to cushion the pains and devastation from oil exploration in their areas .

“The Illegal and unconstitutional diversion of derivation funds away from the primary resource-bearing communities is responsible for underdevelopment in oil and gas communities in the Niger Delta

“The existing system is unconstitutional and deprives oil-producing communities of the resources meant to address decades of environmental, economic, and infrastructural neglect”, she said.

According to Tamuno-Obukorubo, the 13 percent derivation fund designed to compensate oil and gas producing communities was never intended to be paid to state governments.

“The payment of the 13 percent derivation fund through state governments is an illegal practice not recognized by law. It violates the socio-economic rights of the communities whose lands produce the resources that sustain Nigeria,” she stated.

The coordinator, who hails from Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, reaffirmed NDCSF’s commitment to pursuing full legal implementation of derivation provisions. She noted that this long-standing struggle was championed by eminent leaders like the former Federal Minister of Information , Pa Chief Edwin Clark, former Chairman , Delta state Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Wellington Okirika.

Tamuno-Obukorubo further maintained that the group was not asking for anything outside the constitution , recalling that the administration of former president Shehu Shagari had a presidential monitoring committee that handled the 1.5 percent derivation fund

“Similarly, under General Ibrahim Babangida, the derivation percentage was raised to 3 percent, and the fund was administered through the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), not state governments.

“These examples clearly show that derivation funds were never intended to be part of any state’s consolidated revenue or joint local government account,” she explained.

“Oil and gas remain on the Exclusive Legislative List, and therefore the Federal Government retains direct responsibility for ensuring the funds reach the rightful communities”, she said.

The NDCSF called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and particularly the 10th Senate to stand on the right side of history by establishing a Presidential Monitoring Board or Commission to manage the derivation fund in accordance with the 1999 Constitution.

According to the group such a body would ensure transparency, accountability, and constitutional compliance.

“The oil-bearing communities of the Niger Delta deserve justice. The Federal Government must ensure that derivation funds reach the people for whom they were created,” Tamuno-Obukorubo said.

NDCSF emphasized that the issue is not only one of legality but of equity, development, and long-awaited socio-economic redress for the communities that continue to bear the challenges of pollution from environmental Nigeria’s oil resources.