BNC demands 70% reversal of projects in the 2024 budget allocation by Minister Of Niger Delta

By David Lawani, Abuja

Following the petition written against the Minister of Niger Delta, Prince Abubakar Momoh over the ministry’s marginalisation and exclusion of Oil-producing communities in the Edo South Senatorial District, the Benin National Congress, BNC, said the position taken by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions is laudable.

This position taken by the BNC was contained in a letter read by the President of Benin National Congress, BNC Amb. Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo during the public hearing at the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Public hearing against the petitions saying the following are the prayers they are requesting the ministry to do as a way of reversing the position taken by the Minister on the lbudget.

Ambassador Edokpolo argued that it is unheard anywhere that Edo South where the oil deposits are located could be excluded from projects and infrastructure development meant for the Edo South calling the action of the Minister as misplaced and disingenuous.

However, amongst the prayers BNC is seeking are: ” That the capital projects allocation and/or appropriation be reviewed with a clear 70% (seventy per cent) to 30% (thirty per cent) distribution formula in favour of Edo State oil/gas producing/host communities.

” That 70% (seventy per cent) to 30% (thirty per cent) distribution formula be made standard practice in the Ministry’s future budgeting and/or appropriation.

(iii) That a mechanism be instituted for Needs Assessment in the relevant oil/gas producing/host Communities.

” That the Minister and/or the Ministry re-commit itself to the envisioned rapid transformation of oil/gas Communities in Edo State and the whole of Niger Delta region”, he stated.

It will be noted that the communities in Edo South Senatorial District where oil deposits are located includes Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmwon and Ovia North-East.

He explained that these communities are irked by the capital projects appropriation of the Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs.sttrssing that the letters and spirit of the said budget offend clearly the core mandate of the Ministry, as it concerns the interest of the aforementioned oil/gas