The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs Senator Ita Enang has called for the establishment of National Derivation Commission (NDC) to address the challenges of deprivation and under development of the oil and minerals producing communities by the states government
According to Senator Enang, the Commission will be charge with the responsibility to monitor and ensure that money that come to Delta and any other state as derivation is applied for the development of the area where that minerals was gotten from.
Senator Enang, according to a statement by his Media aide, Edet Ekpenyong, made the call when he led the Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSCON) to meet with the Deputy Senate President Senator Omo-Agege during the week in Abuja.
According to Ita Enang, “we had also articulated a position to His Excellency, Mr. President that the money is given, not to the state government, but through the state government to the communities. Since they have refused to comply and their refusal to comply is causing the communities to look up to the federal government.
“And the governors point a finger at President Buhari that he is with the money, deceiving the people that we have come that re-introduce this as a legislative measure”.
On the issue of gas flair, he urged the DSP to follow it up with Mr President to ensure that the money is given to the communities that suffers effect of gas flair.
According to Ita Enang “There is a misconception by one of the agencies saying that gas flair is part of the 13% derivation”, noting that “gas flair matter is different matter from derivation, it is a penalty for the people who suffered the effect of gas flair, it is not part of derivation”
He thanked the DSP for laying before the National assembly the petroleum Industry Bill .
Members of the delegation were, the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass in Brass Kingdom and Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, High Chief (Prof) Jasper Jumbo, HRH Samuel Nee, Chief Emmanuel Anele, Deaconess Josephine Odungide, Chief Wellington Okirika among others