It’s 13% derivation or we stop oil production —N/Delta traditional rulers

THE Association of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) has threatened that it would stop the circulation of oil to other parts of the country should northern leaders insist on a downward review of the 13 per cent oil derivation fund.

This was part of the communique issued by the association’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at the end of its second quarter meeting, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday.

The position of the traditional rulers was in response to the call by the northern delegates at the ongoing national conference in Abuja for a reduction in the derivation fund accruable to the oil-producing communities, scrapping of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs.

Public Relations Officer of the association, His Highness Suanu Baridam, Gbenemene of Bangha Kingdom II, told newsmen that the present 13 per cent arrangement was the statutory right of the oil-producing states, adding that should the North have its way, he and his colleagues would be compelled to stop oil circulation to other parts of the country.

“The oil-producing states have a statutory right to 13 per cent oil derivation fund because they are the ones sustaining the entire country but what they are getting in return, in terms of the degradation of the environment is not commensurate.

“It is sad that some leaders from the North are insisting on a downward review of the fund. If it is reviewed, TROMPCON will resist and we will not allow our oil to leave the region. This is not a threat; it is what we are going to do.

“In fact, we told our sons at the confab to negotiate for 50 per cent. Initially, we wanted nothing less than the total control of our resources.

“We want to be in a position to decide what to give to the centre because our people, in whose communities the oil is being produced, bear the brunt most. We want a larger percentage in order to facilitate development in our communities,” he said.

Reading the communique earlier, TROMPCON National Chairman, His Majesty Rapheal Ikegwuruka, praised President Goodluck Jonathan for setting up the confab, noting that it sought to encourage participants to be positive minded in ensuring a one-Nigeria agenda.

It’s 13% derivation or we stop oil production —N/Delta traditional rulers