Yesterday, Inside the Conference... After the usual National Prayers and other observed Protocols, delegates started deliberating on the votes and proceedings of the last sitting, Thursdays. A delegate, Maigari Dingyadi raised a concern that some of them (northern delegates) have written to the confab leadership raising concerns on some issues. He said if the minutes are adopted, the issues they raised would have become void. He said it is imperative that the leadership need to take a decision on the letter written first. He raised a point of order on the issue of Local Governments. Mr. Dingyadi said the issue of Local Governments as reflected in page six is their bone of contention. In response, the Chairman advised him to wait until delegates are considering the page to raise his issue. Issa Aremu said the Conference has succeeded so far because deliberations have been participatory, but within the last week (at this point, delegates began shouting him down to stick to correction on the votes and proceedings). Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar speaking also raised a point of order, on order 10, saying the confab took a decision with regards to states creation outside of the rules of the confab. (At this point, some delegates began shouting him down too). But he raised another point of order to say the rules allow him to conclude his remarks since he is raising a point of order. He said his zone (North West) is being short changed in the decision to create more states, considering its population size and land mass. Chairman Kutigi is visibly angry and directed delegates to channel their remarks only to corrections on page 2. Meanwhile, Josephine Anenih advised the delegates to behave themselves because today is Monday morning. She also advised the Chairman not to allow anyone raise your blood pressure she said we dont have to die because we want to make Nigeria great. Abdulsalam Olawale said another new state called Osas to be created from the present Ondo and Ekiti states shuld be added to the list of new states. He was shouted down. Oba Aderemi Adedapo faulted the position of Mr. Olawale. He said Oduduwa state was number one on the list and they have been clamouring for a state for over 30 years ago. He said the council of Obas from the South West have sanctioned that arrangement. He said Ile Ife from the present Osun state is also chosen to be the capital. Again, Chairman Kutigi urged delegates to stick to corrections only. Hannatu Ibrahim from Gombe said only the president is mentioned in relation to two terms of tenure. She said Governors and Chairmen of Local Councils should be included. Governors were added to the section in question. Muzammil Hanga suggested that the list for the creation of states should be removed from the Votes and Proceedings otherwise there will be no way the confab will make progress. Ibrahim Ida suggested that additional two states (Bayajidda and Karaduwa) should be created from Katsina state. Ezenwa Nwangwu said it appears that there are no more issues in the V&A and moved a motion for its adoption, but he was shouted down before he concluded his motion and Chairman Kutigi interjected by saying Page 7 please. The Votes and Proceedings was eventually adopted amidst protests by some delegates. Ibrahim Gambari appealed to delegates to stop shouting down other delegates even if they dont agree with views being expressed. He said the Northern Delegates Forum had drew the attention of confab leadership on the abuse of the Voice Votes and that they feel very strongly that amendments should not be considered as the final outcome of confab. He said confab leadership promised to look into the matter and urged the leadership to continue to guide the Conference well. Nzadon a delegate from the North East said improper motives were inverted to him over his call that the name of Adamawa state should be renamed Gongola state. He said he represent ethnic nationalities and urged the confab to expunge some of the comments made against him and his ethnic nationality should be expunged from the records of the conference. Edwin Clarke said it is very very sad that it is towards the end of the confab that issues are now being raised. This country called Nigeria was made up of equal citizens, and that was the basis of its amalgamation. He said confab was supposed to provide consensus and harmonization. We have Children that went to some of the best schools in the world, so, no one should come to flaunt his professorship here. No one must insist that only his point of view should be reflected. Mr. Clarke frowned at Awwalu Yadudu of writing a letter to Dokpesi telling him that delegates from the north are withdrawing from a committee of 18 delegates who met earlier to arrive at positions on behalf of all the zones. He appealed to delegates to be united and avoid sentiments. Bello Haliru also urged that the principle of consensus must be maintained. He said the Voting and Amendments of last Thursday as far as states creation is concerned should not be sacrosanct and urged that delegates should be allowed to go back and reach consensus. Again some delegates began shouting him down. The Chairmen of the Committee on Devolution of power, Obong Victor Attah and Ibrahim Comassie are now present the report of their committee. Attah observed that one of the members of the committee attended only one meeting, while another attended only twice. He said the committee relied on some materials, also met with Labour leaders, other stakeholders and also allowed discussion to reach consensus. He said most of their decision unanimously. He said the committee voted only on two items. Mr. Commasie presenting the report on the legislative list of the tiers of government said the 1999 constitution contains only two lists-the Exclusive and concurrent list. He said the committee retained sufficient power at the Federal level in order to act for the federating units. He said the Committee used the Constitution and the report of the presidential committee of the review of outstanding issues headed by Justice Belgore. Nzadon a delegate from the North East said improper motives were inverted to him over his call that the name of Adamawa state should be renamed Gongola state. He said he represent ethnic nationalities and urged the confab to expunge some of the comments made against him and his ethnic nationality should be expunged from the records of the conference. Edwin Clarke said it is very very sad that it is towards the end of the confab that issues are now being raised. This country called Nigeria was made up of equal citizens, and that was the basis of its amalgamation. He said confab was supposed to provide consensus and harmonization. We have Children that went to some of the best schools in the world, so, no one should come to flaunt his professorship here. No one must insist that only his point of view should be reflected. Mr. Clarke frowned at Awwalu Yadudu of writing a letter to Dokpesi telling him that delegates from the north are withdrawing from a committee of 18 delegates who met earlier to arrive at positions on behalf of all the zones. He appealed to delegates to be united and avoid sentiments. Bello Haliru also urged that the principle of consensus must be maintained. He said the Voting and Amendments of last Thursday as far as states creation is concerned should not be sacrosanct and urged that delegates should be allowed to go back and reach consensus. Again some delegates began shouting him down. The Chairmen of the Committee on Devolution of power, Obong Victor Attah and Ibrahim Comassie presented the report of their committee. Attah observed that one of the members of the committee attended only one meeting, while another attended only twice. He said the committee relied on some materials, also met with Labour leaders, other stakeholders and also allowed discussion to reach consensus. He said most of their decision unanimously. He said the committee voted only on two items. Mr. Commasie presenting the report on the legislative list of the tiers of government said the 1999 constitution contains only two lists-the Exclusive and concurrent list. He said the committee retained sufficient power at the Federal level in order to act for the federating units. He said the Committee used the Constitution and the report of the presidential committee of the review of outstanding issues headed by Justice Belgore. Commassie said two items -Labour and Mines and Minerals- took the time of the committee to arrive at conclusions. He however said the committee debated on them extensively. He said the leadership of labour unions sought for audience with the committee and they raised issues with the matter of Minimum wage. He however said, the committee still insisted that the matter be referred to the concurrent list in the constitution. He added that after second visit by the NLC president some items such as Minimum wage were sent to the exclusive list. He said on Mineral Resources, the Committee, agreed with the position contained in the Constitution today. He said the matter was revisited five times and the committee recommended that the Governors of states where Mineral Resources are found should be involved in mining matters. Attah came back to talk on fiscal federalism. He said it has not been properly practised in Nigeria. He said allowing only the FG to be in custody of all revenue of the country is improper. He said the committee therefore, recommended that the office of AGF for states should be created. On Revenue sharing, Mr Attah said to a great extent, rapid economic development will be achieved if allocation to states and Local are increased. He therefore said the Committee recommended that the Federal Government allocation which presently stand at 52.68% should be reduced to to 42.5%. He said allocation to states which is presently 26,72%, should be increased to 35%. According to Mr. Allocations to Local Governments should rise from the present 20.6% to 22.5%. Mr. Attah said the Sovereign wealth fund and fund for Solid Mineral Development should be included in the constitution. On Resource control, Mr. Attah said debate on the matter was done in Camera for two weeks. Two positions emerge and that is for either states to maintain all revenues from their resources and only pay 50% to the centre and some who said the percentage payable on derivation to oil producing states should be reduced to 5%. He said From the perspective of derivation everyone spoke and made recommendations and that various scenarios emerged; others want 50%, others advocated for a gradual increase, some opposed to any increase at all, others want on shore-off shore dichotomy returned> Some even say the Ministry of the Niger Delta, and the amnesty programme should be scrapped, while others want same for the North East. He added that instead of voting, or harmonizing and reach consensus. the Committee broke into caucuses. He said the Committee finally agreed and recommended that the 13% derivation as contained in the 1999 Constitution should be retained with a a proviso that the 13% should be devolved to oil producing communities. He said issues of on shore -off shore dichotomy should not be returned. After the presentation by the committee on Devolution of Power Professor Awwalu Yadudu sought for permission to speak and he stated that a delegate Raymond Dokpesi last week made some claims and attributed to him some certain matters regarding the surreptitious documents going round. He also said this morning Chief Clark mentioned his name and attributed motives to what he did. He said it should be on record that Mr. Dokpesi was wrong to say what was circulated was the decisions reached by the committee that Gambari and himself led. No issue such as term of agreement between the zones were agreed, he said. He added that Mr. Dokpesi was wrong to say he was not a member of the 18 delegates. He said he was a member alongside Bello Suleiman and Ruqayyat Rufai from the North West On claims by Mr. Dokpesi that Mr. Yadudu was in the Confab to scuttle it. He said has done nothing in conduct an activity to scuttle the conference. In fact, on the contrary, I am one of those who made it possible for the confab to proceed as one of the 50 wise men. He also said he served as the Deputy Chairman of the committee on law and human rights, members of the committee can attest to whether he has made anything to scuttle the confab. He said Mr Dokpesi was wrong to come to that conclusion. he was wrong, incorrect and disaapointing. Mr. Yadudu said he represent a people and express view to support their aspiration.He said he speaks for his people just like any other delegate. On the document, he maintained that it was nothing but a set of agreements reached by the South South, South East, South West and some elements of the middle belt. Oba Gbadgbo contributing on the floor said mineral resources in other states must be developed so that more revenue will accrue to them. As an Oba I get only 400,000 each month, others get as much as 30 million in the same country he said. Sergeant Awuse said the NDDC is not funded by the Federal Government contrary to the position of the Committee. He said NDDC is funded by Oil companies. He suggested that derivation should be increased to 30%. Peter Odilli advised that there must be justice in everything. He said Oil producing states for now are sustaining the nation, adding that oil will expire one day. He said the states have the worst terrain in the country. he said the cost of constructing 1km of road in the area, can build 50 kms elsewhere. Mr. Odili said the absence of justice breeds discontent, hate, violence and vandalisation, and corruption. He said study has shown that every state in the country has at least 3 minerals that can be exploited. He commended the committee on their recommendation for the creation of a mineral development fund. He urged the confab to increase from 4.5% to at least 7 % so that the money will be equitably distributed to all states of the federation. He said a Committee should then be set up to supervise and deploy the fund for the purpose of developing new minerals,so that States can become equal contributors to the federation account. He said nothing less than 25% on derivation will do for now. Umar Kumalia faulted the position of Sergeant Awuse and said that the NDDC is funded by the FG.He said as a member of the House of Representatives, the House approved a funding structure whereby the FG contribution which was proposed at 5% was increased to 10% of annual budget. He also said Oil Companies were also expected to remit 5% of their annual income to the NDDC. He said President Obasanjo vetoed the bill, but nass vetoed him too. DSP Alamiesegha said the economic foundation of federalism in a country like Nigeria is the enjoyment of autonomy in a federating unit. He said he has attached an appendix on the kind of mineral resources available in all states and the amount of money they could accrue to the states. He noted that it is wrong for anyone to compare the cultivation of groundnut to the degradation of the Niger Delta communities. He said states should have 100% of ownership and control of resources in their domains. But that for starters, the Oil producing states should start with 50% and then go up until it achieves 100%. He said although the National Assembly approved 10%, the FG is not contributing anything to the NDDC. Edwin Clark said during the crisis in the Niger Delta when Oil production went down to 740,000 barrels per day, the president created the Niger Delta Ministry as one of the solutions to the problem. Mr. Clark said the NDDC is owed over N600bn by the FG and they are in court. He said the UN had stated it requires bn to rebuild Ogoni alone. -- He recalled that in the 2005 Conference 17% was recommended for derivation, after which a senate committee under Ibrahim Mantu increased it to 18%, but 13% ended up being recommended with a promise to that it will be increased gradually. There have been no increase since 99 no increase. Let Justice prevail. we should have nothing less than 50%. those who say status quo should remain are not progressive and it is very insultive.he said. Bello Haliru agrees with the report of the Committee, on Resource Control, he supported Peter Odili on his call for the increase in Mineral Development Fund from 4.5% to 7% so that in the near future each state should be contributing equally to the federation account he said. He said due to the damage being brough to oil communities in the Niger Delta region, the Confab can consider increasing derivation to 25% on the basis of on shore of the state affected. He said the Supreme Court has already ruled that What is drilled in the deep sea does not belong to any state but to the nation. Femi Falana said based on section 14 of the NDDC Act the FG is required to contribute 15% while Oil Producing states, as well as Oil Companies are expected to contribute 3% of their total annual budget operating on off shore and on shore. He said the FG has not been paying its contribution. Jerry Gana said every state must be empowered to develop their resources to create wealth so that they dont have to depend on the centre. he said the committees recommendation on Mineral development fund is logical and appropriate. On derivation he said confab should consider the major issue affecting every area such as environmental degradation in the Niger Delta. He however added that if the Oil Producing states are given what they are asking for some states may collapse and Nigerians may have to migrate to the Niger Delta. There should be fairness and the spirit of give and take should prevail he said. Ken Nnamani said he is impressed by the recommendation for 4.5% as special fund to encourage other states to come up with something that will make them a full fledged state. He said it should be increased to 5%. and that the South South state deserve what they are asking for.He said the FG should undertake a direct intervention to create a city like Abuja not as a Federal Capital to promote the development of other regions. Olu Falae said Nigerias economy is No. 1 in Africa, adding however that we have growth with little development. Big GDP without employment. With all the grammar we are blowing here, what if the unemployed army come here and chase us. Chukwuemeka Ezeife said delegates should not allow their colleagues from the South/South to go back home empty handed, he said 25% derivation should be approved. He also said, as a Governor of Anambra state he set up an Anambra Oil Company and today the state has discovered oil. Ahmadu Ali rose to say Mr. Ezeife provided misleading information. He said even though Anambra has a refinery, the Oil is discovered in Igala Land. It is our oil and we are waiting for them. Please stop claiming our oil he said. Femi Falana said whatever formula the confab would have agreed on eventually, they should give consideration to the people in the Niger Delta. He said a percentage should be given to Oil producing communities. He also said Confab should recommend that all funds owed the NDDC by the Federal Government should be paid without delay. Chris Agbonwenegbe said today money from oil is being used to fight desertification in the north and so if some body is say derivation should not be increased, it is not fair. He advocated 21.5% suggested by Raymond Dokpesi. He said the difference between the current 13% and the proposed 21.5% should be given to the communities because the people are suffering. General Geoffrey Ejiga from Benue State said if more money should be given to the Niger Delta there is the need to ensure that the money is properly utilized. He said money should be given to clean up the Niger Delta region. According to him, when you give money to the elite they misapplied it. Professor Gambo Laraba Abdullahi said it has been discovered that 76% accruing to the nation is not accounted for and we are here fighting over the remaining 24%. Adamu Aliero from kebbi State: Every system is unique in any country. He suggested that those who are asking for increase in derivation should also consider that mineral resources outside the continental shelf should be owned by the Federal Government. Onshore, he recommended 25% but the one on continental shelf should be the exclusive preserve of the federal government. he proposed 1.5% special allocation to the FCT. Chibudom Nwhche from Rivers State said I dont think of any country where that goes on and that the nation should think of the producing. I support every part of this country has a resource to support. In the spirit of give and take, we should increase derivation to 30% knowing that other areas have resources to develop and will benefit from it. On the issue of items I dont see the need for seaport to be exclusive. the issue of borrowing should be centralized. He pleaded that all delegates should work together as the Conference comes to an end.. Senator Nimi Barigha-Amamge from Bayelsa State said his committee got 38 demands for new states and that if That is why I dont like sharing. I believe in work. However, for the purpose of Nigerian unity, I will suggest as follows: 1) Derivation should be graduated to fiscal federalism. From 2015 to 2019 the oil producing area should be given 21.5% and 2020 to 2024 25% and 2025 to 2029 30% and 2030,it should be full control of resources. Maimuna Ali supported the recommendations of the committee, but opposed the increase in derivation funds. According to him, if it is done some states will loose money. She said Ekiti will lose 4.9 billion, Lagos 8.4 billion, Oyo 4.5billion etc while Ondo will make 10.8 billion, Rivers N76 billion.etc. Hajia Jubril Bala from Niger State supported all the recommendations of the Committee. She canvassed the development of the tourist sector. Gani Adams, South West delegate said he would support 21.5% for the people in the Niger Delta. Today it is oil in the Niger Delta and it may be other resources in other places tomorrow. On revenue sharing, he supported increased allocation to the states. He added, we should derive our sharing formula from onshore and offshore. Onyema Ugochukwu from the South East zone said an association was being formed by benchmarks warmers.because they are not being given opportunity to speak. h Tunde Bakare from the South West zone said the root of our problem is the unification decree enacted by Aguiyi-Ironsi and that Gowon tried to revert to federal system by creating more states and gave them some power. Today, the NASS makes laws in 93 items on the Exclusive List and that That means the president has 93 areas he exercises powers..There is nowhere in the world that is this top-heavy. he said. He said the political space must be decongested in other to help of the economy. He argued that the Federation Account does not belong to the FG but that it is held in trust for the other units of the federation. He added before oil came there was no pumping of groundnut from the north to the south or cocoa from south to the north. he suggested that the FG tax the oil-producing areas until the resources are given to the land owners. Bode Geroge, a delegate of the PDP said it is true that if you go to the South-South region, it is despicable, an eyesore and unhealthy. He however said with a bit of nolstagia when the debate on the issue was raging and the compromises were made on the issue of 13%. He pleaded if the derivation is going to be increased, there should be a special fund to develop other minerals. he said, Yes, there must be an increase but it should take into consideration other parts of the country because It means they will need more funds to carry out the maintenance and sustenance of the people at the local government level. Leedum Mittee, a Federal Government from Rivers state said the Committee failed to make recommendation on how revenue should be generated. He said the only close to that is the 4.5% special funds to develop natural resource. According to there is already funds for the purpose but it is not being utilized for that purpose. On resource control, he said he has considerable part of his life on this issue and he has consulted widely. He suggested a progressive increase of derivation fund which should be tied to actual communities involved and investments that promote actual unity and development. Sola Ebiseni from Ondo State explained that local governments have not been scrapped but merely moved to the state. the problem with derivation is not with the north but with the non-oil producing states of the South. He said the minimum should be 21.5% Dan Nwanyanwu, the National Chairman of Labour Party said we from the majority tribes assume so much because we own this country. The three tribes - Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba are the problems of this country. If you visit those places you wont sit down here and be saying what you saying. He supported 21.5% derivation fund. He said this Conference must leave a legacy. He added that our children are not thinking like us and that we better change for the betterment of this country. Akin Oyebode from the South West said he has some reservation about the proposal of the committee. he said did not specify how people resident in the mineral producing areas should participate. He said since the Conference has agreed that there should be state police, the issue should not be in the Exclusive List. On the derivation fund, the 1963 Constitution provides for 50%. He said he was criticized by people in Lagos last weekend over the Conference approval for the creation of 18 new states. Anayo Nnebe from Anambra State said the people of South-South where oil is found are suffering. He pleaded with his colleagues to consider an increase. He said it is not only the South-South governors that are misappropriating money and that governors in other zones are also doing it. He said 13% derivation fund should be increased to 35% and the special fund from 4.5% to 7%. Goddy Uwazuruike from the South East zone said the communities are being ravaged and the people. he supported an increase in derivation fund. 15.21 Chris Agbonwenegbe said today money from oil is being used to fight desertification in the north and so if some body is say derivation should not be increased, it is not fair. He advocated 21.5% suggested by Raymond Dokpesi. He said the difference between the current 13% and the proposed 21.5% should be given to the communities because the people are suffering. General Geoffrey Ejiga from Benue State said if more money should be given to the Niger Delta there is the need to ensure that the money is properly utilized. He said money should be given to clean up the Niger Delta region. According to him, when you give money to the elite they misapplied it. Professor Gambo Laraba Abdullahi said it has been discovered that 76% accruing to the nation is not accounted for and we are here fighting over the remaining 24%. Adamu Aliero from kebbi State: Every system is unique in any country. He suggested that those who are asking for increase in derivation should also consider that mineral resources outside the continental shelf should be owned by the Federal Government. Onshore, he recommended 25% but the one on continental shelf should be the exclusive preserve of the federal government. he proposed 1.5% special allocation to the FCT. Chibudom Nwhche from Rivers State said I dont think of any country where that goes on and that the nation should think of the producing. I support every part of this country has a resource to support. In the spirit of give and take, we should increase derivation to 30% knowing that other areas have resources to develop and will benefit from it. On the issue of items I dont see the need for seaport to be exclusive. the issue of borrowing should be centralized. He pleaded that all delegates should work together as the Conference comes to an end.. Senator Nimi Barigha-Amamge from Bayelsa State said his committee got 38 demands for new states and that if That is why I dont like sharing. I believe in work. However, for the purpose of Nigerian unity, I will suggest as follows: 1) Derivation should be graduated to fiscal federalism. From 2015 to 2019 the oil producing area should be given 21.5% and 2020 to 2024 25% and 2025 to 2029 30% and 2030,it should be full control of resources. Maimuna Ali supported the recommendations of the committee, but opposed the increase in derivation funds. According to him, if it is done some states will loose money. She said Ekiti will lose 4.9 billion, Lagos 8.4 billion, Oyo 4.5billion etc while Ondo will make 10.8 billion, Rivers N76 billion.etc. Hajia Jubril Bala from Niger State supported all the recommendations of the Committee. She canvassed the development of the tourist sector. Gani Adams, South West delegate said he would support 21.5% for the people in the Niger Delta. Today it is oil in the Niger Delta and it may be other resources in other places tomorrow. On revenue sharing, he supported increased allocation to the states. He added, we should derive our sharing formula from onshore and offshore. Onyema Ugochukwu from the South East zone said an association was being formed by benchmarks warmers.because they are not being given opportunity to speak. h Tunde Bakare from the South West zone said the root of our problem is the unification decree enacted by Aguiyi-Ironsi and that Gowon tried to revert to federal system by creating more states and gave them some power. Today, the NASS makes laws in 93 items on the Exclusive List and that That means the president has 93 areas he exercises powers..There is nowhere in the world that is this top-heavy. he said. He said the political space must be decongested in other to help of the economy. He argued that the Federation Account does not belong to the FG but that it is held in trust for the other units of the federation. He added before oil came there was no pumping of groundnut from the north to the south or cocoa from south to the north. he suggested that the FG tax the oil-producing areas until the resources are given to the land owners. Bode Geroge, a delegate of the PDP said it is true that if you go to the South-South region, it is despicable, an eyesore and unhealthy. He however said with a bit of nolstagia when the debate on the issue was raging and the compromises were made on the issue of 13%. He pleaded if the derivation is going to be increased, there should be a special fund to develop other minerals. he said, Yes, there must be an increase but it should take into consideration other parts of the country because It means they will need more funds to carry out the maintenance and sustenance of the people at the local government level. Tanko Yakassai: When we were talking about 50% we had three regions. he said today the foundation is built on 36 states and Abuja and 774 local government areas..For us to canvass to return to that status quo without that kind of structure is to compare oranges and apple, he said. Conference adjourned till today. Motion for adjournment moved by Senator Ibrahim kirikasama and seconded by Iliya Danga.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 07:41:40 +0000