We Demand 10 Per Cent As Host Community Fund – South-South Govs

The governors of the South-South States have demanded an increase from 2.5 percent to 10 percent as Host Community Trust Fund in the Petroleum Industry Bill

Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, stated this at the end of the forum’s meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday night.

He also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the fund for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) be put in an escrow account pending the constitution of the commission’s board.

“We urge that the National Assembly should increase the provision in the host community fund from 2.5 per cent to 10 per cent in the best interest of our communities, in the best interest of our nation,” he said.

He added, “We do believe that the 2.5 percent that is appropriated in that bill for the purpose of host community fund is inadequate.

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“We have discussed with our people and collectively as leaders of the people in our various States and as leaders standing in on behalf of our people.”

Governor Okowa said the people of the region are worried that the NDDC has continued to be run by interim or caretaker committees, which deprives the benefitting states the opportunity to be well represented.