APC Member Wants Niger Delta States’ Derivation Since 1999 Investigated

CHANNELS TV

A staunch member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Mr Richard Kpodo, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to investigate the 13 per cent derivation that accrued to states in Niger Delta since 1999.

Mr Kpodo, a former Interim Chairman of the APC in the state, said such a probe would reveal how the governors of the region spent the derivation funds and the level of development in the region since 1999.

He said the probe had become necessary in view of many claims made on non-existence of projects and spending of the funds allocated to the states since 1999.

“A detailed investigation and prosecution of past and present governors indicted will determine the road map for the development of the Niger Delta region,” he told reporters.

According to him, the alleged poor handling of the funds from the 13 per cent derivation by Niger Delta governors is criminal and unsatisfactory.

“Though there were some contentious issues to be settled between the Federal Government and the Niger Delta people, the people should allow the present administration to investigate, arrest and recover funds stolen from their derivation,” Mr Kpodo pointed out.

He claimed that some of the region’s governors usually headed abroad in search of phoney investors immediately they have collected derivation funds.

He also faulted the Bayelsa State government for its alleged failure to pay salaries of workers as and when due, advising the civil servants to demand for answers as to why a state receiving huge revenue could be defaulting in workers’ payment.

“This is how the PDP government has kept Bayelsa and we are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to help the people of Bayelsa,” he added.