The struggle for resource control and discourse on derivation principle took centre stage as Niger Delta political heavyweights gathered in honour of Professor Godini Gabriel Darah at the Petroleum Training Institution (PTI) Conference Centre, Effurun, Delta state.
TheNewsGuru reports Prof. Darah at the Colloquium/Book Presentation said the 13% derivation accruing to oil producing states means that the states are being deprived 100% resource control.
“13% derivation means 87% deprivation,” he said, with former Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, who chaired the occasion declaring that the region will no longer make demands for 30% derivation from federal government (FG), but demand for 100% derivation.
“We shall no longer demand 30% derivation from the FG but 100%,” the former Delta State Governor stated, while also stressing that the Niger Delta region has suffered enough neglect.
In his remarks, a former Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Primary School Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare extolled ex-militant commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo for his contribution to the Niger Delta struggle.
He said Tompolo is a true patriot of the region for the major role he played in founding both the (MEND) and also his fighters that drew the Federal Government’s attention in establishment of the Maritime University at Okenrenkoko.
The former Basic and Primary School Education Commissioner lampooned persons criticizing Tompolo for selling his buildings and other facilities at the International Diving School he built at Kurutie, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government, Delta State, to the FG at an alleged sum of N13 billion, which the Federal Government acquired for the Maritime University, Okerenkoko to have a rethink saying that FG cannot even build those facilities at that cost as a result of the difficult terrain.