By Amaka Okoro
BENIN/Nigeria: The people of Ndokwa nation had joined their voice to the call for devolution of power to the federating states in the country.
The support was made in a paper presented by the Ndokwa Neku Union, (NNU), the apex body of the Ndokwa people at a for a of the All Progressive Congress Committee on Restructuring, held in Benin City on 18 September, 2017.
The paper which was presented by the Second Vice Chairman, on behalf of the NNU President General, Chief Johnson Opone, detailed the demands of the Ndokwa people to achieve a true federalism, as it openly detailed the contribution of the area to the economy of the country.
“Ndokwa land play host to several multinational oil and gas companies such as AGIP ,Midwestern Oil &Gas, Energia, Platform Petroleum, Pillar Oil, Sterling Global and Chorus Energy. It is also important to know that Ndokwa land has the highest deposit of gas in Nigeria and west Africa sub region. The gas produced in Ndokwa land is piped to Obirikom Gas Plant (OBOB) as well as LNG in brass for export. We host the AGIP/NNPC joint venture that produces 480MW of electricity to the National Grid and the production of over 110,000 barrel of crude oil per day. We are rich and endowed with mineral and Agricultural resources. The people of Ndokwa can also be found in the present day Anambra, Bayelsa and Rivers State.
Ndokwa as a peace and loving people, hereby resolve as follows with regards to burning national issues on the restructuring to ensure true federalism”.
While emphasising on the believe of the one Nigeria, it stated that for that to be properly achieved the country have to ensure that devolution of power, derivation principle, federating units, fiscal federalism/revenue allocation, a modified presidential system and other workable means of good governance.
On the burning issue of grazing, the paper called for the right to administer the right to graze on the local government. This position is not surprising as the area had been an epic centre of attack by the Fulani Herdsmen.
The Full Paper.
A POSITION PAPER BY NDOKWA ETHNIC NATIONALITY ON THE NEED TO RESTRUCTURE NIGERIA AS A NATION. PRESENTED TO THE ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS COMMITTEE ON TRUE FEDERALISM, THIS 18TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2017 AT PRESTIGE HOTELS AND SUITES,BENIN CITY,EDO STATE.
Your Excellency,Governor of Nano State,Alhaji Dr Abdulahi Ganduje,
Most distinguished Members of the committee,
Distinguish Ladies and Gentlemen.
We wish to thank the Federal Government of Nigeria and the All Progressive Party for this articulated fact finding committee to address the yearnings of the diverse people of Nigeria for restructuring to usher in true federalism.
Ndokwa people appreciate this opportunity afforded us by our amiable and focused President Mohammadu Buhari,to address the challenges confronting our nation.
Ndokwa people during the colonial era in 1905 had their colonial administrative office in Kwale known as Aboh native authority which was later changed to Aboh division in 1952 with headquarters in Kwale.
Ndokwa people of NDOKWA/UKWUANI Federal Constituency, although a minority group in Nigeria is the second largest ethnic group in Delta State as well as the largest ethnic group in Delta North Senatorial district.
Ndokwa land play host to several multinational oil and gas companies such as AGIP ,Midwestern Oil &Gas,Energia,Platform Petroleum, Pillar Oil,Sterling Global and Chorus Energy. It is also important to know that Ndokwa land has the highest deposit of gas in Nigeria and west Africa sub region. The gas produced in Ndokwa land is piped to Obirikom Gas Plant (OBOB) as well as LNG in brass for export. We host the AGIP/NNPC joint venture that produces 480MW of electricity to the National Grid and the production of over 110,000 barrel of crude oil per day. We are rich and endowed with mineral and Agricultural resources. The people of Ndokwa can also be found in the present day Anambra,Bayelsa and Rivers State.
Ndokwa as a peace and loving people, hereby resolve as follows with regards to burning national issues on the restructuring to ensure true federalism.
1) The Ndokwa people believe in one Nigeria where justice equity and fair play is given optimum priority to promote national unity.
- ii) Ndokwa people over the years have been agitating for their own state called Coastal State which is made up of the old Aboh Division; but after reviewing the 2014 National Confab on the proposed new structure of twelve regions and fifty four federating States with the creation of additional 18 States of which Anioma state will be created from the present Delta state Ndokwa people resolved to be part of the proposed Anioma State and Mid Western region made up of Edo,Delta and Anioma.
iii) DERIVATION PRINCPLE. Ndokwa people resolve that principle of derivation is a key factor to the unity of the nation and must be properly considered. We propose that revenue accrued from the federating states should be shared in the order of 25% to the host Community, 15% to the local Government, 20% to the states 10% to the region and 30% to the federal Government.
- iv) DEVOLUTION OF POWERS; Ndokwa people support and recommend decentralization of powers from the Centre to the federating units in the spirit of true federalism.
- v) FEDERATING UNITS: We advocate for the Creation of states clusters as Regions,state and local Government and the federal government at the Centre.
vi). FISCAL FEDERALISM/REVENUE ALLOCATION: Ndokwa people resolve that under the principle of resource control and derivation, Federating states should contribute to the federation account 30% and retain 70% to be shared between the state and local government in the ratio of 40:30.
vii) FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Ndokwa people propose a modified presidential system of Government with a Uni Cameral system of legislation in line with what is obtainable at the state level presently.
viii) INDEPENDENT CANDIDACY: Ndokwa people support the idea of independent candidacy for electoral offices.
ix). LAND TENURE SYSTEM: Ndokwa suggest that the present land use act should be reviewed.
- x) LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY : Ndokwa people strongly support and recommend full autonomy for the local Government.
xi). POWER SHARING AND ROTATION: Ndokwa people support power sharing and rotation.
xii). RESOURCE CONTROL(OWNERSHIP OF RESOURCE WITHIN EACH TERRITORY AND TERRITORIAL WATERS) Ndokwa people advocate and recommend full control of resources by the federating units who will in turn contribute to the central government.
xiii) TYPE OF LEGISLATURE : Ndokwa people support the Uni cameral legislative system at the federal level.
xiv) OTHER MATTERS:
- a) SECURITY: Ndokwa people support to the proposed state police in addition to the federal police but with clearly defined levels of authorities and operations.
- b) GRAZING: The issue of grazing should not be made a constitutional matter but should be domiciled with the local government areas to adjudicate.
The above is the position of all Ndokwa people home and in the diaspora. We enjoin the ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS led Government to ensure that all machineries and modalities should be employed to achieve proper restructuring of our dear nation in the spirit of true federalism.
The Ndokwa people under the able leadership of High Chief Johnson Ossai Opone remain resolute on the issue of restructuring and true federalism for a untied Nigeria where equity and justice prevails.
We wish the Chairman and members of the committee success in their quest towards actualising true federalism in the country.
God bless the federal Republic of Nigeria.
God bless Ndokwa Ethnic Nationality.
High Chief Johnson Ossai Opone FCA. President General Ndokwa Ethnic Nationality.
