Tuesday, February 9, 2010 21:40

Let’s give oil-producing communities a sense of belonging, says Saraki

By Okechukwu Nnodim

November 9, 2009 12:27AM

The Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki, has expressed support for the setting aside of 10 per cent from the total oil revenue generated by the country for oil producing areas, stressing that the gesture will build a sense of ownership in the communities.

Mr. Saraki, who spoke at the presidential wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos at the weekend, disclosed that it is time for oil producing communities to benefit directly from the nation’s oil proceeds.

A sense of belonging

“There should be something going back directly to these oil producing communities,” he said. “Whether we like it or not, there is a kind of concern that nothing goes back to the communities, and there is no sense of belonging.”

Mr. Saraki argued that when the percentage from oil revenue is set aside for the oil producing areas, it will also enhance productivity in the communities and in Nigeria.

“I think once there is a sense of belonging in these communities, they will have a sense of ownership and will ensure that those oil areas are well protected and there is productivity,” he said. “At the governors’ forum sometime ago, we discussed this and we are in support of some kind of equity, royalty or whatever way they want to fashion it.”

Support for deregulation

Commenting on the proposed deregulation of the nation’s oil downstream sector, the Kwara State governor said it is in the interest of the country to remove the subsidy on the price of fuel, stressing that the grant only benefits a few Nigerians. “We have about N650 billion yearly that is being used to subsidise fuel importation and I have said many times that this money is going into the pockets of very few people,” he said.

On how to correct the “deficiencies,” Mr. Saraki suggested consultation among leaders in the country as a way forward. “I don’t believe this should just be the issue of Mr. President’s agenda; governors will consult, former heads of states would consult, traditional rulers too and other stakeholders in the country, to find a way of implementation,” he said.

According to the governor, the money from deregulation will be used in what the entire populace would see. “I don’t think anybody will see the deregulation as a way to deceive the people for I think the people are wiser than that and they won’t allow themselves to be deceived again,” he said. “The labour and government should sit down now and work out how to go about it. Are you for deregulation or not?”

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Reader Comments (10)

Posted by Pere on Nov 09 2009

PDP Divide & Rule tactics in ND region. Who is representing the Oil Producing Communities when JVC agreement is negotiated and signed. Saraki?

Posted by Pere on Nov 09 2009

PDP Divide & Rule tactics in ND region. Who is representing the Host Oil Producing Communities when JVC agreement is negotiated and signed. Saraki?

Posted by Remi Bailey on Nov 09 2009

"Let’s give oil-producing communities a sense of belonging, says Saraki" I will say it is their God giving right. What government give can also be taking away with a snap of a finger. So, the word "give" is insulting.

Posted by Citizen Q on Nov 09 2009

SARAKI has acquired billions of Naira in kickbacks. This continues through companies like Qaiser in Abuja, set up with the sole aim of cutting shady deals for the Saraki family. This spoilt, over-ambitious, indulgent, puppet governor has no business contributing to the affairs of this country. Off with his head!

Posted by TATA on Nov 09 2009

in your papa's country or in kwara state?

Posted by Obosso on Nov 09 2009

PDP Gov Saraki & Ijaw PDP leaders/Olotu Militants are negotiating the future of Ijaw Nation in secret. Bribe Ijaw leaders & everything will be alright..

Posted by Poor Nigerian on Nov 09 2009

The negative comments here merely serve to remind that some Nigerians would vigorously seek out the bad from any good development. Conceptually, this is a very GOOD development and our focus should be to ensure that it is done right.

Posted by Chief OFJ Oyaide. on Nov 10 2009

I commented yesterday in the Vanguard newspaper on the need to make an intellectual and properly coordinated input into the resolution of the root causes of the militancy in the Niger Delta. It is not just a matter of 10% or whatever percentage to the communities. The whole issue of fiscal federalism applies to the whole country and not just the ND. In my view, the emergence of the Aaron Group as mediator in the dialogue between Government and the militants to restore permanent peace in the Niger Delta is a welcome development. When you listen to some of the militants, you hear a long list of reasons why they feel that the ND is cheated, and exploited but you do not hear many well thought out systematic recommendations on a solution to the problem. If MEND actually accepts the Aaron Team as a go-between on their behalf, then there is hope. The likes of the respected Nobel laureate, Professor Soyinka and the former de-facto miltary Vice President of this country, and lawyer, Okhai Akhigbe, in consultation with the leaders of the various militant groups and respected elders and traditional leaders in the region, should be able to bring a lot of logic, sanity and respect to the negotiations and help to bring peace. General Abbe is a military strong man and he cannot talk peace. His various pronouncements since he became MINISTER OF DEFENCE testify to that. Dr Shetima MUSTAFA, his predecessor was more peaceful. The divide and rule approach in the dealings of Goverment with the militants will not bring peace. Mr President should seriously explore a role for the Aaron Group in the way forward. It is not advisable to take the militant approach of threats and intimidation which Abbe believes in, as he views huge military hardware which the Government recently assembled for use in the Niger Delta as a fallback precaution. We must not allow a return of the young militants to the creeks. They are our children and while some NIGERIANS, including many State governors, Ministers and legislators who are hungry for the proceeds of the oil and gas exploration in the Niger Delta, see them as in rebellion, all true Deltans see them as freedom fighters in the same way black South Africans saw Mandela, Oliver thambo and others who the whites treated as criminals and rebels during the years of apartheid in their country. We must allow respectable negotiation to proceed to peace so that our attention can turn to national economic development and progress. This country is blessed with huge unexploited resources that can make us a super economic power. Chief OFJ Oyaide rtd Envoy of the United Nations (UNDP)

Posted by Delta man on Nov 10 2009

It is good to hear that coming from the son of the Pharmacist politician Chief Olusola Saraki who has a legacy of very partisan Arewa approach to national issues. I often wonder why a Yoruba man like Chief Saraki should be more catholic than the Pope in dealing with national issues even in situations where the core Caliphate political and religious leaders advocate moderation. Bravo Governor saraki! Join in advocating fiscal federalism which will also benefit Kwara in respect of power generation, water resources, agriculture, sugar etc.

Posted by DAN-BOROBA on Nov 14 2009

"There should be something going back to these oil "COMMUNITIES"....Give the Niger Deltans a sense of belonging..." What a shocking display of arrogance and gross disrespected for the Key the status of Niger-Deltans.