By Gabriel Enogholase

BENIN—CONCERNED Host Communities of Nigeria, HOSCON, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to institute a commission of inquiry into how Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State  spent the over N100 billion as 13 percent derivation for oil producing communities in the state.

HOSCON, in a statement by Nosa Igbinomwanhia, for Concerned Edo Youth Wing, accused the state governor of not only mismanaging the fund, but also of having left the oil producing communities in abject poverty and penury.

However, Edo State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. John Inegbedion, while reacting to the allegation, said that the state government has not received such an  amount as 13 percent derivation as stated by HOSCON.

He explained that by law, Edo State Oil and Gas Development Commission, EDSOPADEC, was entitled to 40 percent of what accrued to the state as 13 percent derivation, saying that it was that money that is being used to finance the several projects in the oil producing communities in Edo State.

“As we speak,  EDSOPADEC is involved in the construction of road projects in Orhionmwon and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas, two of the oil producing councils in the state.”

HOSCON said: “We believe in your anti-corruption programmes and the need to rid our country of corrupt leaders respectfully want to  draw your attention to the monumental fraud in the management of the 13% derivation funds that accrued to Edo State in the past eight years.”