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Nigeria: Niger Delta Speaks With One Voice
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Vanguard (Lagos)
7 August 2008
Posted to the web 7 August 2008
Leke Adeseri
Nigerians in general and people of the South-South region in particular are in the throes of history as the two-day South-South legislative retreat (exclusively Vanguard) kicks off today at the prestigious Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Eggheads, political leaders and opinion moulders from the nooks and crannies of the region will be led to the retreat by the six South-South governors.
Initiated by Vanguard Newspapers and a media consulting firm, Bridgelink Limited, the talks will also feature no fewer than 250 personalities made up of serving and past governors of the six South-South states, all Senators and House of Representatives members from the zone; all Speakers and leaders of the six state Houses of Assembly in the zone, all the leaders of the South-South Zone; eminent opinion leaders and personalities; Federal and state lawmakers and legal luminaries.
The specific focus and agenda will be the eight federal laws identified as being inimical to the overall social and economic development of the South-South zone.
According to the chief convener, Mr. Sam Amuka, Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, the success of the retreat will be a major boost to Vanguard Newspaper as the clear leader in the Niger Delta market.
Today's event will start with the opening remarks by the Chairman, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte; welcome address by Mr. Sam Amuka, keynote address by Governor of Rivers State (Chief Host); Goodwill message by Vice-President Goodwill Jonathan and solidarity messages by governors of the South-South.
There will be three papers during the afternoon session including: "Revenue Allocation, Fiscal Federalism and the impact of the Abolition of Dichotomy Act, 2004 on the Niger Delta Region" to be delivered by Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN). The Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, will give the executive perspective on the topic while Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly will lead the discussion. Justice Karibi-Whyte will chair the session.
The second paper will be presented by Dr. Joseph Abugu on "Solving the Niger Delta Problem; the law and the people ... the Land Use Act as a case study." Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (Governor, Delta State) will give the executive perspective; Chief Abel Ubeku will chair the session while the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly will lead the discussion.
The final paper for the day on "The Petroleum Act 51 of 1969 and the imperatives of evolving true Federalism in Nigeria," will be presented by Dr. Michael Ibanga (Senior Lecturer, Law, University of Calabar). Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State will give the executive perspective at the session to be chaired by Chief Philip Asiodu, while the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly will lead the discussion.
Legislation considered to have negative impact on the socio-economic development of the region are:
•Petroleum Act Cap. P10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004
The Petroleum Act Cap. P10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, is an Act which provides for the exploration of petroleum from the Territorial Waters and the Continental Shelf of Nigeria and to vest the ownership of, and all on-shore and off-shore revenue from the petroleum resources derivable therefrom in the Federal Government of Nigeria and for the regulation of all other matters incidental thereto.
This Act further states that the entire ownership and control of all petroleum resources in any state in Nigeria shall be vested on the Federal Government.
•Lands (Title Vesting, etc) Act Cap. L7 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004
The Lands (Title Vesting, etc) Act Cap. L7 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, is principally to provide for the vesting of the title of all land within the 100 metres limit of the 1967 shoreline and all land reclaimed near the lagoon, sea or ocean bordering Nigeria exclusively in the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Act specifies the conditions in which allocation of land may be invalidated, namely, that any lease purportedly granted by any state or local government, individual or any body corporate or unincorporated or any agency of the state or local government, in respect of such land, before the commencement of this Act shall abate, be null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
Additionally, the Act deals with the regularisation of leases. Therefore, it provides that the holder of any lease purportedly granted before the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to have been granted by the Federal Government based on its terms and conditions.
•Minerals and Mining Act Cap. M12 LFN 2004
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This Act provides for the control of and establishment of proprietary rights in minerals and regulation of mining activities in Nigeria. It makes provisions for mining incentives and assistance to corporate bodies, small scale miners, individuals or foreign investors.
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