Aliyu Insists on Equal Distribution of Oil Wealth

21 Apr 2012

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By Chinedu Eze

Countering the position of House of Assembly speakers from Niger Delta who recently demanded for the 50 per cent of the country’s oil revenue, the Governor of Niger State, Mu’uazu Babangida Aliyu yesterday insisted that oil revenue should be shared equally by every state of this country.


Aliyu, who is also the chairman of Northern Governors Forum stated this in a speech he made at the award night organised by the Nigerian News Direct in Abuja on Thursday.


“In the light of the changing realities in Nigeria and in the spirit of our common nationality, we probably need to consider the resources of the nation as a common patrimony for the common good of all citizens,” said the governor.


Aliyu explained that in this way, the nation’s resources would “balance derivation’ with needs to guarantee continued socio-economic and political wellbeing of the nation, since the constitution does not restrict the citizens of a particular part of the country from settling in another part.”


He said that in Niger State, the policy of free education, free healthcare for children, women and the aged introduced by his administration, including mass housing scheme are being enjoyed by all Nigerians that live in the state.


Governor of Niger State, Mu’uazu Babangida Aliyu

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/aliyu-insists-on-equal-distribution-of-oil-wealth/114202/

I think Aliyu and many northerners have a wrong perception. The idea of equal distribution of wealth is irrational. One can not assert that the distribution of money to children in a house hold be equal especially where the needs of one child is greater than the other by virtue of age and level of education. These Northern leaders should take cognisance that the Niger Delta region is grossly underdeveloped, margenalised and neglected despite the key source of revenue that is generated nationwide. Furthermore, a state leader his objective should be to explore way in which his state can generate revenue as opposed to be dependant on the state national pie.