FG assures oil, gas host communities of fair distribution of resource allocations

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, has reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring that host communities in Nigeria’s oil and gas-producing areas receive fair and transparent benefits in line with constitutional provisions.

Shehu stated this when he received a delegation from the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON), led by its Chairman, Prince Michael Emuh.

Welcoming the delegation, Shehu commended HOSCON for its peaceful and consultative approach toward addressing issues of resource allocation and environmental justice in oil-producing areas.

“Without the peace and co-operation of the host communities, the exploration and production of oil and gas in Nigeria would not be possible,” he said.

The chairman assured the delegation that the commission would study their detailed position paper and engage other relevant stakeholders to develop sustainable frameworks that guarantee transparency and fairness in the disbursement and utilisation of the 13 per cent derivation fund.

“The issue involves a delicate balance between constitutional provisions, judicial interpretations, and state-level management,” he added.

In his remarks, National Chairman of HOSCON, Prince Michael Emuh, expressed appreciation to the commission for the warm reception, describing the engagement as a new dawn for the long-neglected communities that lay the golden egg.

In a statement, he lamented that despite the fact that their communities provide the bulk of the resources in the country, they are often marginalised.

During the interactive session, Federal Commissioner representing Rivers State, Desmond Akawor, commended HOSCON’s presentation, describing it as timely and insightful. He called for closer collaboration between host communities and key institutions to develop practical monitoring mechanisms for the 13 per cent derivation fund.

Also speaking, Federal Commissioner representing Abia State, Nkechi Otti, charged the host communities to protect the projects executed by the state government from the fund so as to safeguard them from vandalism.