Edo APC Demands Full List Of FG 13% Derivation Funds To Edo State
By Simeon OSAJIE
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State Chapter has demanded from Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, full list of the Federal government 13% Derivation Fund paid to Edo State dated back to 1999 till date.
Recall that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State revealed the payment of the accumulated 13% derivation funds since 1999 till date paid to oil producing states by the federal.
Addressing newsmen at the state secretariat of the party, the Edo State Chairman of the APC, Col. David Imuse (Rtd) said that Governor Godwin Obaseke should explain to Edo people hoe the accumulated 13% derivation funds was received and how is being spent.
According to Imuse, “as you aware since Nigeria’s Fourth Republic began in 1999, Edo state and other oil and gas producing states that make up the Niger-Delta are entitled to the 13% derivation funds sanctioned by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
“In actual fact, Section 162, Sub-section 2 of the Constitution stipulates that the 13% derivation funds is for the exclusive use of oil/gas producing communities as compensation for loss of fishing rights and productive farmlands as a result of oil and gas exploration and production activities in the beneficiary states.
“Last week, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, revealed that he has been able to erect 12 Flyovers across the state capital, Port-Harcourt using funds from the 13% derivation Rivers State received. He said whereas all Presidents since 1999 failed to pay the 13 percent derivation funds due the Niger-Delta states, President Muhammadu Buhari recently approved and paid the Niger-Delta states the over N9 trillion due them.
“This is why we are asking the Edo State Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki to tell Edo people what he has done with the billions of Naira, Mr. President released to Edo state.”
Going further, Col. Imuse (Rtd) said that Governor Obaseki should tell Edo people the total amount received from federal government as 13% derivation funds as arrears dating back to 1999.
“Governor Obaseki should tell Edo people the total amount the state government received as 13% derivation funds as arrears dating back to 1999.
“The development projects in the oil and gas producing communities of Edo state which he dedicated the arrears of the 13% derivation funds to, if any. We want a full list, the amounts involved and the contractors who did the jobs.
“Explain why he has deliberately refused to specify amounts received as 13% derivation funds in his 2023 budgets estimates.
“Obaseki has been busy maligning the Federal government accusing it of printing paper money to fund statutory allocations and mismanagement of the national economy whereas as a deliberate policy, he has been pocketing Edo state monies by mismanaging the derivation funds.
“Since Edo State does not have a functional House of Assembly to checkmate Obaseki, Edo people should demand the Governor publicly indicate the whereabouts of the said fund,” he said.
