Advocates of resource control want the Federal govt to cede control of the management (including revenue) of the oil and gas resources to the producing areas, with the latter paying a subvention to the centre.


This is unrealistic in the current environment.


1. Effectively, militants will decide each month whether to release monthly subventions to the Federal govt. Basically, if Boy Loaf and the rest of them are unhappy about anything, they can decide, yep! no money for you people this month. It's our resources. Go to hell! So, millions of civil servants and the armed forces will go hungry for months.

2. With producing states swimming in billions of dollars, it is only a matter of time before new and more powerful militants and warlords emerge and start fighting each other for control of the region. Meanwhile, unpaid and hungry Federal armed forces will be too demotivated to restore order in the region. Welcome to the new South Sudan.

3. New, powerful and extremely rich Niger Delta states will be fodder for international arms traders who will flood the place ready to do business. Rogue states like North Korea will warms its way into the heart of militants with the supply of sophisticated weaponry. Meanwhile, a lame, financially - deprived, and powerless (no power without money) Federal govt will run to the African Union and UN begging for intervention. Our President will be travelling to South Africa every other week to 'lobby' for military help. Yep, South Africa and Ghana.

No one wants this type of Nigeria.

ND should negotiate a 20% increase on the present 13% derivation payments. That should take us to 15.6%. Further increase can be negotiated in the future.

The granting of oil blocks should be subject to public scrutiny and not just be a matter for a President's exclusive preserve

The corrupt and failing NDDC should be reorganised to allow transparency

There should be a gradual phasing out of payments to militants

A strict, highly punitive, and effective regime for environmental pollution should be put in place.


ND oil can and should be used judiciously for the benefit of all Nigerians.

This is a fallacy of false dilemma at its very worst.

edogirl2:
Advocates of resource control want the Federal govt to cede control of the management (including revenue) of the oil and gas resources to the producing areas, with the latter paying a subvention to the centre.


This is unrealistic in the current environment.


1.[size=15pt] Effectively, militants will decide each month whether to release monthly subventions to the Federal govt. Basically, if Boy Loaf and the rest of them are unhappy about anything, they can decide, yep! no money for you people this month. It's our resources. Go to hell! So, millions of civil servants and the armed forces will go hungry for months. [/size]

2. With producing states swimming in billions of dollars, it is only a matter of time before new and more powerful militants and warlords emerge and start fighting each other for control of the region. Meanwhile, unpaid and hungry Federal armed forces will be too demotivated to restore order in the region. Welcome to the new South Sudan.

3. New, powerful and extremely rich Niger Delta states will be fodder for international arms traders who will flood the place ready to do business. Rogue states like North Korea will warms its way into the heart of militants with the supply of sophisticated weaponry. Meanwhile, a lame, financially - deprived, and powerless (no power without money) Federal govt will run to the African Union and UN begging for intervention. Our President will be travelling to South Africa every other week to 'lobby' for military help. Yep, South Africa and Ghana.

No one wants this type of Nigeria.

ND should negotiate a 20% increase on the present 13% derivation payments. That should take us to 15.6%. Further increase can be negotiated in the future.

The granting of oil blocks should be subject to public scrutiny and not just be a matter for a President's exclusive preserve

The corrupt and failing NDDC should be reorganised to allow transparency

There should be a gradual phasing out of payments to militants

A strict, highly punitive, and effective regime for environmental pollution should be put in place.


ND oil can and should be used judiciously for the benefit of all Nigerians.

The other regions just have to look for other sources of income if they hate Boyloaf and the resources from his region.
Chikena!

If you are in a family, and you happen to be blessed than others, it seems reasonable and humane to want to extend your blessings to the other members of the family.


My proposal will increase the benefit to the ND whilst ensuring that other members of the 'Nigerian family' also gets something.

People giving reasons to sustain their parasitism! If there wasn't crude oil in the Niger delta, won't the rest of the country survive?

I am all for 100% resource control, even though my state has no crude oil wealth at the moment. It will make government less attractive to parasites, only those with innovative ideas will survive.

Mogidi:


The other regions just have to look for other sources of income if they hate Boyloaf and the resources from his region.
Chikena!

Making this a zero sum game will not benefit the ND, as the rest of Nigeria will simply not agree to what you're asking for.


So, what do you do? You blow up pipelines. And then Nigeria will say, ok no problem, you can have the oil.

You know that's not going to happen.

Getting the derivation increased for now is a good compromise deal.

Niger deltans really have no idea what they are missing.
Look at countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Quatar etc, they have some of the most corrupt leaders in the world, but because of their small population, they still have enough resources left to go round and develop their countries, improve the lives of their people.
But the case of the Niger delta is that they have to share a large chunk their resources with 19 unproductive states where people give births indsicrimately and then the little that comes back to them is shared among corrupt leaders.
With the relatively small population of the core Niger delta areas, no amount of corruption will prevent the ordinary man in those areas from living a good life if they are allowed to control their resources.

edogirl2:


If you are in a family, and you happen to be blessed than others, it seems reasonable and humane to want to extend your blessings to the other members of the family.


My proposal will increase the benefit to the ND whilst ensuring that other members of the 'Nigerian family' also gets something.

Wrong analogy. Nigeria isn't a family.

eCollynzo:
Niger deltans really have no idea what they are missing.
Look at countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Quatar etc, they have some of the most corrupt leaders in the world, but because of their small population, they still have enough resources left to go round and develop their countries and improve the lives of their people.
But the case of the Niger delta, is that they have to share a large chunk their resources with 19 unproductive states where people give births indsicrimately and then the little that comes back to them is shared among corrupt leaders.

I agree, but the only way for ND to have full control will be to extricate itself from Nigeria.


Is there an appetite for war right now? And with the type of leaders in the ND, what's to guarantee a ND country will ever be like Dubai.

eCollynzo:
Niger deltans really have no idea what they are missing.
Look at countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Quatar etc, they have some of the most corrupt leaders in the world, but because of their small population, they still have enough resources left to go round and develop their countries and improve the lives of their people.
But the case of the Niger delta, is that they have to share a large chunk their resources with 19 unproductive states where people give births indsicrimately and then the little that comes back to them is shared among corrupt leaders.
With the relatively small population of the core Niger delta areas, no amount of corruption will prevent the ordinary man in those areas from living a good life if they are allowed to control their resources.

This is the truth. Qatar and the rest have corrupt leaders, but the money is so big and the population is so small, that even after stealing, they still have a lot to bring development to their people.

edogirl2:


I agree, but the only way for ND to have full control will be to extricate itself for Nigeria.


Is there an appetite for war right now?

This is another case of false dilemma. Extricating from Nigeria is not the only way to get resource control, also extricating from Nigeria does not have to be through a war.

edogirl2:


If you are in a family, and you happen to be blessed than others, it seems reasonable and humane to want to extend your blessings to the other members of the family.


My proposal will increase the benefit to the ND whilst ensuring that other members of the 'Nigerian family' also gets something.

Don't mind the greedy people who will come and condemn you. Your proposals are fair enough. Resource control really has no chance of being put in place in Nigeria for the next few decades. The smart play is to negotiate an increase in the derivation payments and build on that.

edogirl2:



Making this a zero sum game will not benefit the ND, as the rest of Nigeria will simply not agree to what you're asking for.


So, what do you do? You blow up pipelines. And then Nigeria will say, ok no problem, you can have the oil.

You know that's not going to happen.

Getting the derivation increased for now is a good compromise deal.

I stopped reading when I noticed disdain towards the militants in your opening few lines. On second reading I think you made some valid points, the derivation should be increased.

pazienza:


This is the truth. Qatar and the rest have corrupt leaders, but the money is so big and the population is so small, that even after stealing, they still have a lot to bring development to their people.

That is what my ND people don't know. When they talk about resource control, the sophiscated ones confuse them with talk about how their corrupt leaders and militants will keep all the money to themselves. Big lie!
Even with the corruption we have seen what they have been able to do in places like Akwa Ibom and Rivers, more money will easily translate to more development and better standard of living for the people. Corruption or no corruption!
If not for the embargo placed on them, leaders from Quatar, Saudi Arabia etc will be dominating the top 10 of Forbe's richest list year after year, but their people are still living well and they still find enough money to build world class infrastructures.

eCollynzo:
That is what my ND people don't know. When they talk about resource control, the sophiscated ones confuse them with talk about how their corrupt leaders and militants will keep all the money to themselves. Big lie!
Even with the corruption we have seen what they have been able to do in places like Akwa Ibom and Rivers, more money will easily translate to more development and better standard of living for the people. Corruption or no corruption!
If not for the embargo placed on them, leaders from Quatar, Saudi Arabia etc will be dominating the top 10 of Forbe's richest list year after year, but their people are still living well and they still find enough money to build world class infrastructures.

Akwa Ibom's budget allocation alone is more than the revenue of many African countries and even Ghana yet they didn't really do anything with it except the stadium.

eCollynzo:
That is what my ND people don't know. When they talk about resource control, the sophiscated ones confuse them with talk about how their corrupt leaders and militants will keep all the money to themselves. Big lie!
Even with the corruption we have seen what they have been able to do in places like Akwa Ibom and Rivers, more money will easily translate to more development and better standard of living for the people. Corruption or no corruption!
If not for the embargo placed on them, leaders from Quatar, Saudi Arabia etc will be dominating the top 10 of Forbe's richest list year after year, but their people are still living well and they still find enough money to build world class infrastructures.

True!

Vorp:

Akwa Ibom's budget allocation alone is more than the revenue of many African countries and even Ghana yet they didn't really do anything with it except the stadium.

Akwa ibom, infrastructurally has grown in leaps and bounds over the last eight years they got their petrodollar windfall. They are now behind only to Lagos, PH and Abuja. Imagine what they can achieve with 100% resource control.

Vorp:

Akwa Ibom's budget allocation alone is more than the revenue of many African countries and even Ghana yet they didn't really do anything with it except the stadium.

Have you stepped foot in Akwa Ibom before?
The governor has done well and I can only imagine how the place would be like if they even 50% of what comes from their land.
Ghana's budget for 2014 was 17 billion dollars. Far far ahead of Akwa Ibom's

pazienza:


Akwa ibom, infrastructurally has grown in reaps and bounds over the last eight years they got their petrodollar windfall. They are now behind only to Lagos, PH and Abuja. Imagine what they can achieve with 100% resource control.

I know,but presently they are not doing enough compared to some state and their size.

pazienza:


Akwa ibom, infrastructurally has grown in reaps and bounds over the last eight years they got their petrodollar windfall. They are now behind only to Lagos, PH and Abuja. Imagine what they can achieve with 100% resource control.

Even 50% will do wonders

eCollynzo:
Have you stepped foot in Akwa Ibom before?
The governor has done well and I can only imagine how the place would be like if they even 50% of what comes from their land.
Ghana's budget for 2014 was 17 billion dollars. Far far ahead of Akwa Ibom's

If is that good and developing as you are trying to insinuate,people will be trooping there in leap and bounds.

Vorp:

If is that good and developing as you are trying to insinuate,people will be trooping there in leap and bounds.

That is exactly what is happening.
A place like Eket has more Yorubas than indigenes.

Vorp:


I know,but presently they are not doing enough compared to some state and their size.

That's the whole point. Infrastructurally in comparison to the money they have and their little population, the Qatars and Arabias of this world are not really where they are supposed to be, but the fact remains that they are not doing bad infrastructurally.

Pazienza, vorp, ecollynzo
First of all, I support an increase in the amount of money invested in the Niger delta region.

My issues with resource control is based on two facts

1. Should offshore oil and gas be regarded as Niger delta resources?

2. Is increasing the amount of funds state governments receive necessarily going to have an impact on the people?

The first point is a topic that needs to be debated (I.e. Onshore/offshore dichotomy)

As for the second point, I feel an insistence by the Niger Deltans that more refineries, power plants, schools, etc, be built in their region by the federal government will be much more beneficial to the people than simply increasing their derivation.

eCollynzo:
That is exactly what is happening.
A place like Eket has more Yorubas than indigenes.

How can they be more than the indigenes?That means they have been there since time memorial and definitely not now.

pazienza:


That's the whole point. Infrastructurally in comparison to the money they have and their little population, the Qatars and Arabias of this world are not really where they are supposed to be, but the fact remains that they are not doing bad infrastructurally.

Am not bias but as at now they are slums compare to Saudi and Qatar,not even Lagos can be compared to those two countries.

Vorp:

Am not bias but as at now they are slums compare to Saudi and Qatar,not even Lagos can be compared to those two countries.

Give them 100% control of their resources, and watch American wonder unfold in a space of a decade.

eCollynzo:
Have you stepped foot in Akwa Ibom before?
The governor has done well and I can only imagine how the place would be like if they even 50% of what comes from their land.
Ghana's budget for 2014 was 17 billion dollars. Far far ahead of Akwa Ibom's

What is desirable and what is achievable are 2 different things.


How exactly can Akwa Ibom or any other state get 50% derivative? Does ND have the number in the National Assembly to pass this into law?


One commenter said it is possible to resource control without war, yet, he did not say exactly how.

pazienza:


Give them 100% control of their resources, and watch American wonder unfold in a space of a decade.

I agree, that will probably happen.


The question is will Nigeria 'give them 100% of their resources.'


Please help us understand how that will happen.


ND will need to ask to leave Nigeria. Is this on the table in the ND right now?

trillville:
First of all, I support an increase in the amount of money invested in the Niger delta region.

My issues with resource control is based on two facts

1. Should offshore oil and gas be regarded as Niger delta resources?

2. Is increasing the amount of funds state governments receive necessarily going to have an impact on the people?

The first point is a topic that needs to be debated (I.e. Onshore/offshore dichotomy)

As for the second point, I feel an insistence by the Niger Deltans that more refineries, power plants, schools, etc, be built in their region by the federal government will be much more beneficial to the people than simply increasing their derivation.

Which onshore/offshore again? Why should a person from Anambra partake from the resources from a water body he has no physical contact with, how much more a person from the semi deserts of Kano?


100% resource control will see them provide all they need for themselves, they don't need the FG to provide anything for them.

This is only fair, why are people so blinded by parasitism to see the truth and injustice. If the table is turned, and I am in Niger deltans position. I know I would want 100% resource control and same applies to everyone else.

pazienza:



Which onshore/offshore again? Why should a person from Anambra partake from the resources from a water body he has no physical contact with, how much more a person from the semi deserts of Kano?


100% resource control will see them provide all they need for themselves, they don't need the FG to provide anything for them.

This is only fair, why are people so blinded by parasitism to see the truth and injustice. If the table is turned, and I am in Niger deltans position. I know I would want 100% resource control and same applies to everyone else.

But then what is the point of being part of the same country with so - called 'person from the semi deserts of Kano' who you dont want to share in your resources.


Being in a country means you agree to pull and share resources and obligations.


If ND wants to have its resources to itself, then the brave and honest thing to do is for the region to ask to leave Nigeria.

pazienza:



Which onshore/offshore again? Why should a person from Anambra partake from the resources from a water body he has no physical contact with, how much more a person from the semi deserts of Kano?


100% resource control will see them provide all they need for themselves, they don't need the FG to provide anything for them.

This is only fair, why are people so blinded by parasitism to see the truth and injustice. If the table is turned, and I am in Niger deltans position. I know I would want 100% resource control and same applies to everyone else.

So the anambran who shares border with an oil producing state has no right to the oil, but you from the niger delta that the shares border with the ocean has right has to oil in the ocean. What is the sense in this?