Jamet Samuel, Abuja
Senate has affirmed Kogi State as an oil producing state receiving 13% derivation since 2022 as laid down in section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended).
The affirmation was sequel to a motion sponsored to that effect by the Lawmaker representing kogi East senatorial District, Senator Jibrin Isah-Echocho.
Senator Isah- Echocho’s motion came 24 hours after heated debate between him and Senator Tony Nwoye on the status of Kogi as an oil producing state receiving 13% derivation .
While Tony Nwoye in his presentation at Senate plenary on Wednesday, on a bill seeking for inclusion of Anambra State in the operational radius of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) , argued that Kogi State is not receiving 13% derivation like Anambra State, Echocho countered him that Kogi State has been a receiver of the 13% derivation since October 2022.
Apparently disturbed by Senator Nwoye’s submission , the kogi lawmaker standing on the strength of Order 42 , raised a motion for affirmation of Kogi as an oil producing State , benefitting from the 13% derivation .
“He noted that, , the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under section 162(2), directs the constant reflection of the principle of derivation of not less than 13% in any approved revenue allocation formula.
He “Informed that oil was later discovered in commercial quantities in Odeke, Echeno, Ihile, Anocha/Uchuchu, Omabo, Ikah, Iregwu and Ujeh all in Ibaji community of the present-day Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Lawmaker explained that ” after due assessments and consultations, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari officially listed Kogi State as an oil producing state in 2021.
In his singular prayer, Echocho Urged the Senate to take the clarification that Kogi State is an oil producing state which has been receiving the constitutional 13% derivation since October 2022; and accord it the necessary recognition as an oil-producing state”.
In a remark, the Deputy Senate president, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary explained that the fact has been stated, adding that, the Senate has noted the motion and considered it authentic to the previous information from the Anambra Senator.
