The House of Representatives at its plenary session of Thursday, 1 February 2018 stepped down a motion on the need to deduct 13% derivation from the $1 billion approved by the National Economic Council to fight the Boko Haram insurgency at its 83rd meeting at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in December 2017.
Presenting the motion on the Floor of the House Hon. Ken A. Chikere (PDP: Rivers) stated that Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution” allocated 13% of the proceeds of the oil producing States in Nigeria as derivation funds payable to the benefitting States of Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Abia, Imo, Ondo, Anambra and Lagos”. He also added that the 13% derivation fund payable to the said oil producing States had not yet been paid. Before suggesting for the said states to be paid from the $1 Billion approved to fight the Boko Haram insurgency.
He added that the failure to pay the 13% derivation fund to oil producing States was a breach of section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 1 of the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc.) Act, Cap. A15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. He also urged the House to support the motion to ensure the amount was deducted from the $1 billion approved to fight the Boko Haram insurgency as many states were battling economically and were in need of their constitutionally entitled funds.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara (APC: Bauchi) explained to the House that the Chairman of the Governor’s forum had informed the country in a press statement that the $1billion to fight the Boko Haram insurgency would be deducted from States share of the excess crude account. However, speaking on the matter, Hon. Emmanuel Orker Jev (APC:Benue), Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business advised that the motion to be stepped down as it was bereft of important information and was based on speculation which was contrary to the House Rules.
Although the motion has been stepped down, the Speaker directed the House Committee on Finance to investigate and find out the amount in the excess crude account and how much is due to the different tiers of Government. The Committee is to report back to the House within four weeks.
