Anthony Omoh
9 November 2009
Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State has lauded government's plan to give 10 per cent shareholding to oil producing communities of the Niger Delta.
Saraki who expressed support for the initiative while fielding questions from newsmen in Lagos weekend said allowing the people of the region to enjoy the benefits accruing from oil would calm frayed nerves.
"There should be something going back directly to the community. Whether we like it or not, there is a kind of concern that nothing goes back to the communities that produce oil, there is no sense of belonging.
I think once there is a sense of belonging in the community, then there will be sense of ownership and they will ensure that those areas are well protected and there is productivity. I think we must fashion out something but how we do it, I don't know but people can work that out," he said.
Similarly, the governor hailed government's proposed deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector of the economy saying "it is inefficient the way it is being run now."
The governor said about N650 billion is spent yearly as subsidy for fuel importation but "this money is going into the pocket of very few people." He called on stakeholders in the oil sector to be involved in the programme.
"The issue is: how do we correct the deficiencies? I don't think it is a question of 'if,' but it is more of a question of 'when.' I don't believe this should just be the issue of Mr. President's agenda; governors will consult, former heads of states will consult, traditional rulers too and other stakeholders in the country will consult to find a way of implementation," he said.
He said when the deregulation finally comes on stream, everybody would want to know how the windfall from the exercise would be spent. "When we eventually deregulate, everybody wants to know where the money will be going to; is it into railway, road," he said.
He said Nigerians are wiser and would not allow themselves to be deceived. "I don't think anybody will see the deregulation as a way to deceive the people.
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