By Emma Arubi
WARRI—YOUTHS from the nine oil bearing states  in the country have appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to heed the quest by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, for a new revenue formula for the country.

Arising from a well attended meeting in Warri, Sunday, the youths drawn from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers States, said the action of RMAFC was in the right direction and asked Jonathan to support the commission.

The youths, who acted under the aegis of Forum of Niger Delta Youth, made their position known in less than one week after the House of Representatives took similar action on the matter.

The 1,000 youths, in the communique signed by their leaders, including Mr. Emeka Okafor , (Abia); Mr. Okon Bassey, (Akwa Ibom); Mr. Ebi Perebor, (Bayelsa);  Mr. Henry Udom, (Cross River); Mr. Onoriode Egbedi, (Delta); Mr. Osaro Obasuyi, (Edo); Mr. Chukwuma Eze (Imo); Mr. Abiodun Oduntoyi (Ondo) and Mr. Harry Harry Jnr from Rivers State, said the Bill presented by RMAFC was in the best interest of the oil producing areas of the country.

The youths expressed their support for the position of RMAFC that 10 per cent of the derivation funds be directly allocated to oil and gas bearing communities while 60 per cent of prevailing 13 per cent derivation funds be administered by the oil commissions established by the oil producing states.

The youths added in the communique: “We have also discovered  that the creation of oil commissions like DESOPADEC in Delta State,  OSOPADEC in Ondo State and ISOPADEC in Imo State, has not only fast-tracked development drive but has created greater peace, employment, empowerment and security in these states.

We are therefore appealing to our amiable and God-fearing President (Jonathan) to, as a matter of urgent national importance, forward the Bill by RMAFC to the National Assembly as our forum will mobilise our people to ensure early consideration and passage of this Bill.”

The youths also pleaded with Jonathan to prevail on the governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Abia and Cross River States to speedily establish oil commissions to manage the 13 per cent derivation funds accruing to their states.