By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja
The need for the establishment of the an oil producing commission, by the Kogi State Government, has been stressed and described as an idea whose time has come.
Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo, an indigene of the state, made the remark in a statement, entitled “ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KOGI STATE OIL PRODUCING AREA COMMISION; AN IDEA WHO’S TIME HAS COME”, he signed and made available a copy to The Reporters in Lokoja on Wednesday.
He hinged his call on the recent declaration of kogi state as an oil producing state by the federal government.
“I call on the state government to immediately put in place the modalities for the establishing of a Kogi State Oil Producing Area Commission”, to fashion out ways of developing the host communities and the state in general.
“The state is expecting 13 per cent of the revenue from oil activities in the area and the 3 per cent revenue to the host communities as provided for by the just passed PIA.
“The call for the establishment of this commission has become necessary so as to hit the ground running ahead of the release of these fund,”he said.
Meanwhile,the Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, has appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for recognising Kogi as one of the Oil-producing states in the country.
The Reporters gathered that the president’s action was conveyed by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, (RMAFC).
Bello conveyed the appreciation of the people and the state government to the President when he visited the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.
The governor,who expressed optimism that the recognition of Kogi and Anambra, as oli producing states, would put to rest the 69-year-old oil well dispute that cost the two communities unwarranted killings and destruction of property while it lasted, commended Buhari for its peaceful resolution.
The affected communities are: Odeke in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi and Aguleri in Anambra state.
Bello said his meeting with the president also involved the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex in Kogi State, adding that the president assured him that all efforts were ongoing to ensure the project becomes a reality before the end of his administration.
