From JIDAUNA YANUNG, Abuja
The Senate has rejected move to include Anambra State in the membership of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The move and rejection led to bickering between Senators Tony Nwoye (LP Anambra North) and Jibrin Isah (APC Kogi East). Senator Nwoye had in his lead debate on the Bill seeking for amendment of the NDDC Act for inclusion of Anambra State, being an oil producing state, argued that Anambra deserved membership of the NDDC since it has been collecting 13 percent derivation since 2021 on account of appreciable volume of oil production on yearly basis.
But most of the senators while contributing on the bill at the floor of the Senate, kicked against it on the grounds that states like Kogi and Lagos are not covered by NDDC operations despite being oil producing states.
Specifically, Senator Jibrin Isah said NDDC by its name, is more of regional or geographical intervention body and not just for oil producing states. He said Kogi State has also been collecting 13 percent derivation as an oil producing state, a claim, Senator Nwoye vociferous countered.
