End The Illegality: Establish 13% Derivation Fund Boards Now
By
Ezekiel Kagbala
For decades, the constitutional 13% Derivation Fund meant for oil-producing communities has been paid to state governments, leaving the actual host communities impoverished despite bearing the devastating environmental and economic consequences of oil exploration.
This injustice must end.
The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has already admitted that it proposed a Bill for the establishment of 13% Derivation Fund Boards as far back as 2005. That acknowledgment confirms that a dedicated legal framework is necessary to ensure the fund reaches its intended beneficiaries.
Yet, the continued diversion of these funds through state governments defeats the purpose of the derivation principle and undermines the rights of oil-bearing communities. Such a practice fuels grievances, deepens marginalization, and threatens peace in the Niger Delta.
The solution is clear: RMAFC should immediately revive and resubmit the Derivation Fund Board Bill to the 10th National Assembly, while the Federal Government supports the establishment of independent 13% Derivation Fund Boards in all oil-producing states.
The people of the Niger Delta are not seeking favours. They are demanding constitutional justice, transparency, and direct development in the communities from which the nation’s wealth is derived.
Justice delayed is justice denied. The time to end this illegality and establish the 13% Derivation Fund Boards is now.
COMRADE EZEKIEL KAGBALA IS COORDINATOR OF THE NIGER DELTA CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM
