Women for Development, an advocacy group comprising women from the nine states in the Niger Delta has advised the Federal Government to pay the 13 per cent revenue allocation based on derivation to the oil producing communities.
The group made the request during a visit to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe in his office in Abuja also urged the government to set up an implementation committee to manage the fund.
The leader of the delegation Princess Nomwen Uhunnwangho according to a statement signed by the Director of Press, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mrs. Florence Bolokor-Mohammed, stated that the group’s visit to the Hon. Minister was to respectfully request from Mr. President, the establishment of a 13 % derivation implementation committee to manage the funds accrued to their communities and intervention of Mr. President in ensuring that the 13 % derivation is paid directly to the oil producing communities.
Princess Uhunnwangho also pointed out that the oil producing communities have lost their farm lands, fishing rights etc because of oil exploration and exploitation activities.
In his remark, Elder Orubebe acknowledging their pains and difficulties as Niger Delta women and mothers, and also praised them for their exemplary behaviour of peacefully conducting themselves and putting their issues across to government, instead of resorting to other ways that could lead to a breach of the peace;
He therefore promised to explore all relevant avenues and table their issues to the highest levels of government, including discussing with the presidency and the Governors, to address the issues they raised.
He stressed that the fundamental responsibility of any government is to manage its human and material resources in such a way that will create a conducive atmosphere for growth and development to thrive.
He also assured the women that his ministry will give some training slots to the women groups for overseas training particularly in the fields of agriculture and allied areas.
The training, Orubebe said is important because developing our agricultural potential is the only way of ensuring abundant food production, alleviating poverty and creating wealth ; this according to him, would ensure peaceful coexistence in the society.
Orubebe asserted that the next batch of trainees bound for foreign training would include some women from the Niger Delta as this gesture would broaden their horizons and make them more economically self-reliant to contribute their quota to national growth and development.
The minister also commended Nigerian Women, particularly those from the Niger Delta region, for working assiduously towards promoting positive socio-political values that will engender national growth and economic advancement.
