HOSCON Stakeholders Meet In Abuja, Reiterate Resolve To Resist FG Payment Of 13 Percent Derivation Fund To Governors

Acting President Prof Yemi Osibanjo

Stakeholders from Niger Delta region under the auspices of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON) on Saturday met in Abuja, reiterating their earlier resolve to resist the payment of 13 per cent derivation fund by the Federal to state governments.

This followed a communique issued after its meeting held at Newcastle Hotel, Abuja, under the chairmanship of Bishop Mike Emuh JP, National Chairman of the Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSCON).

Present at the meeting were notable royal fathers, top community leaders, women leaders, youth leaders and notable academia drawn from all oil/gas producing communities of the Niger Delta region.

In a communique signed by HOSCON’s National Director Media and Publicity and Chairman Communique Drafting Committee, Prince Monday Whiskey, the meeting unanimously agreed that for peace to reign supreme in the Niger Delta Region, the Federal Government should urgently redirect the allocation of 13% derivation fund by paying it directly to the Host Communities.

The meeting agreed to support the 10,000 pipeline surveillance initiative of the Federal Government, maintaining however that that support would only be when the contract is being coordinated by the Host Communities.

They also agreed to support the establishment of 10 modular refineries as approved by the minister of Petroleum Resources among others.

The communique however said that traditional rulers were led to the meeting by His Royal Majesty Owong (Dr) Effiong B. Archianaga (JP), the paramount ruler of Ibeno Kingdom and chairman, Akwa-Ibom State Traditional Ruler Council.

Other traditional rulers present at the meeting, include His Royal Majesty Othuku Murphy Ogware 1 the Ovie of Ellu Kingdom, HRM Alhaji Aliyu Danesi, Oba Idanesi II, the Aidonogie of South Ibie Kingdom and Secretary South South Monarch’s Forum, HRM Engr. Anthony Onomuefe Efekodha Ejuzi II, the Ovie of Enhwe, HRM Umukoro Josiah Aghaza I the Odionologbo of Olomoro and HRM Johnson Egbo Ewhiri II the Ovie of Emede Kingdom.

A seasoned community leader and Bolowei (Traditional Prime Minister) of Gbaramatu Kingdom Chief Dr. Wellington Okirika (CON) led a powerful delegation of leaders including the Obasogie of Benin Kingdom, Chief Dr. Eduwu Ekhator Obasogie, Chief Sir Francis Ifie, National Coordinator of ACLOPAN, Prince Dr. Sam Igbiniweka National Treasurer and Secretary Board of Trustee of Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSCON) Col. Tunde Akogun Former Majority Leader House of Representatives, Abuja and Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini former DESOPADEC Commissioner of Delta State to the meeting.

A frontline woman activist and National President Women Wing of Host Communities of Nigeria, Princess Nomwengho Uhunwangho led an influential delegation of notable Niger Delta women leaders including the wife of the first military Governor of old Rivers State, Revd Mrs Ethel Diete-Spiff National President Hope Alive Foundation Dame Tumini Akogun, Dr. Mrs Roseline Izevbizua of Igbinedion University Okada, Chief Mrs Elizabeth Asafa, Chairman HOSCON Osun State and Apostle Patience Uwa Aiguobasinmwin National President of OBOSA Voluntary M.P.C.S. Limited.

Rt. Hon. Engr. Apollos Amadi, Former Member of the National Assembly and Chairman of forum HOSCON State Chairmen led the Chairmen of HOSTCON from Delta, Edo, Ondo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Osun,  Anambra and Cross River State to the meeting.